Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy and Standard (in Vivo) Exposure Therapy in the Treatment of Fear of Flying

2006 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 80-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Olasov Rothbaum ◽  
Page Anderson ◽  
Elana Zimand ◽  
Larry Hodges ◽  
Delia Lang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Exposure Therapy ◽  
Fear Of Flying ◽  
Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy ◽  
Virtual Reality Exposure

scholarly journals Experiences of Gamified and Automated Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for Spider Phobia: Qualitative Study

10.2196/17807 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. e17807 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip Lindner ◽  
Alexander Rozental ◽  
Alice Jurell ◽  
Lena Reuterskiöld ◽  
Gerhard Andersson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Anxiety Disorders ◽  
Exposure Therapy ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Spider Phobia ◽  
Semistructured Interview ◽  
User Experiences ◽  
Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy ◽  
Virtual Reality Exposure

Background Virtual reality exposure therapy is an efficacious treatment of anxiety disorders, and recent research suggests that such treatments can be automated, relying on gamification elements instead of a real-life therapist directing treatment. Such automated, gamified treatments could be disseminated without restrictions, helping to close the treatment gap for anxiety disorders. Despite initial findings suggesting high efficacy, very is little is known about how users experience this type of intervention. Objective The aim of this study was to examine user experiences of automated, gamified virtual reality exposure therapy using in-depth qualitative methods. Methods Seven participants were recruited from a parallel clinical trial comparing automated, gamified virtual reality exposure therapy for spider phobia against an in vivo exposure equivalent. Participants received the same virtual reality treatment as in the trial and completed a semistructured interview afterward. The transcribed material was analyzed using thematic analysis. Results Many of the uncovered themes pertained directly or indirectly to a sense of presence in the virtual environment, both positive and negative. The automated format was perceived as natural and the gamification elements appear to have been successful in framing the experience not as psychotherapy devoid of a therapist but rather as a serious game with a psychotherapeutic goal. Conclusions Automated, gamified virtual reality exposure therapy appears to be an appealing treatment modality and to work by the intended mechanisms. Findings from the current study may guide the next generation of interventions and inform dissemination efforts and future qualitative research into user experiences.

scholarly journals Virtual reality exposure therapy in the treatment of driving phobia

2010 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 131-137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafael Thomaz da Costa ◽  
Marcele Regine de Carvalho ◽  
Antonio Egidio Nardi
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Web Of Science ◽  
Exposure Therapy ◽  
Controlled Clinical Trials ◽  
Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy ◽  
Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Virtual Reality Exposure

A growing number of researches has appeared on virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) to treat anxiety disorders. The purpose of this article was to review some evidences that support the VRET efficacy to treat driving phobia. The studies were identified through computerized search (PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, and Scielo databases) from 1984 to 2007. Some findings are promising. Anxiety/avoidance ratings declined from pre to post-treatment. VRET may be used as a first step in the treatment of driving phobia, as long as it may facilitate the in vivo exposure, thus reducing risks and high costs of such exposure. Notwithstanding, more randomized/controlled clinical trials are required to prove its efficacy.

scholarly journals Meta-Analysis of the Efficacy of Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for Social Anxiety

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 152-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel K. Chesham ◽  
John M. Malouff ◽  
Nicola S. Schutte
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Social Anxiety ◽  
Exposure Therapy ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Psychological Problem ◽  
Imaginal Exposure ◽  
Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
Virtual Reality Exposure

AbstractSocial anxiety is a common, debilitating psychological problem. In the present study, two meta-analyses examined the efficacy of virtual reality exposure therapy for social anxiety. The first meta-analysis tested whether virtual reality exposure therapy reduces social anxiety more than a waitlist control condition. The results of the first meta-analysis, consisting of six studies and 233 participants, showed a significant overall effect size, indicating that virtual reality exposure therapy was effective in reducing social anxiety. The second meta-analysis tested whether the standard treatment for social anxiety, which includes in vivo or imaginal exposure, leads to greater effects than virtual reality exposure therapy. The second meta-analysis, consisting of seven studies and 340 total participants, showed essentially no difference in effect sizes between virtual reality exposure and in vivo or imaginal exposure. The results of the two meta-analyses support the use of virtual reality in the treatment of social anxiety.

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