Examining the impact of virtual reality exposure therapy on phobia treatment outcomes: a randomized controlled trial
Keywords:
Comparative effectiveness, Fear generalization, Phobia treatment, Treatment outcomes, Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET)Abstract
This randomized controlled trial aimed to examine the impact of Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) on phobia treatment outcomes compared to traditional Exposure Therapy (ET). Participants diagnosed with specific phobias were randomly assigned to either the VRET or ET group. Both groups underwent a standardized treatment protocol consisting of exposure sessions targeting their specific phobic stimuli. Outcome measures included phobia symptom severity, treatment adherence, treatment satisfaction, fear generalization, and long-term maintenance of treatment gains. The results revealed comparable effectiveness between VRET and ET, with both groups showing significant reductions in phobia symptoms. Treatment adherence rates were high in both groups, indicating participants' engagement with the interventions. Additionally, participants in the VRET group reported high treatment satisfaction ratings, highlighting the acceptability of virtual reality technology in therapy. Fear generalization was successful in both groups, suggesting that treatment effects extended beyond the targeted phobic stimuli. Follow-up assessments at three and six months post-treatment demonstrated the maintenance of treatment gains in both groups. These findings provide evidence for the effectiveness of VRET as a viable alternative to traditional ET in treating specific phobias. The study contributes to the growing literature on virtual reality-based interventions and highlights the potential of VRET as an accessible and immersive treatment option for individuals with specific phobias
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