Virtual Reality Therapy for Social Anxiety Disorder
Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)
Age: 18+
Sex: Any
Travel: May Be Covered
Time Reimbursement: Varies
Trial Phase: Academic
Recruiting
Sponsor: Penn State University
Disqualifiers: Suicidality, Mania, Psychosis, Substance use, others
No Placebo Group
Approved in 2 Jurisdictions
Trial Summary
What is the purpose of this trial?This trial tests if virtual reality videos can help people with social anxiety practice social situations. It targets those who struggle with social interactions and everyday tasks. The therapy works by letting them practice in a virtual world to make real-life interactions less scary. Virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) has been used in recent years to treat various anxiety disorders, including social phobia.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. However, since participants cannot be receiving treatment from a mental health professional, it might imply that you should not be on certain psychiatric medications.
What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Virtual Reality Therapy for Social Anxiety Disorder?
Research shows that Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) is effective in reducing symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD). Studies found significant improvements in social skills and anxiety symptoms, making VRET a promising alternative to traditional therapies due to its lower cost and flexibility.
12345Is Virtual Reality Therapy safe for humans?
The research does not specifically address safety concerns, but Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) is widely used and considered a valid alternative for treating social anxiety and phobias, suggesting it is generally safe for humans.
23467How is Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy different from other treatments for social anxiety disorder?
Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) is unique because it uses computer-generated environments to simulate social situations, allowing patients to practice coping skills in a controlled, immersive setting. Unlike traditional in vivo exposure therapy, VRET can be more cost-effective and flexible, providing a tailored experience without the logistical challenges of real-world exposure.
34568Eligibility Criteria
This trial is for adults proficient in English with social anxiety disorder who are not currently under mental health treatment. Participants must be either students at Pennsylvania State University or community-dwelling adults interested in the study, and willing to seek treatment.Inclusion Criteria
I am not currently seeing a mental health professional.
Presence of Social Anxiety Disorder based on the Social Phobia Diagnostic Questionnaire self-report or Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview
I am a Penn State student or a community member interested via the PSU StudyFinder.
+3 more
Exclusion Criteria
Presence of suicidality, mania, psychosis, or substance use disorders
I am under 18 years old.
Failure to meet any of the above inclusion criteria
Trial Timeline
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
2-4 weeks
Treatment
Participants undergo Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) to treat social anxiety disorder symptoms
2-8 weeks
Multiple sessions with virtual therapist guidance
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for maintenance of treatment gains and symptom changes
6 months
Assessments at 3-month and 6-month post-treatment
Participant Groups
The trial tests if virtual reality exposure therapy using Pico Goblin VR headsets can help people with social anxiety by simulating social interactions. It compares this method against a waitlist control group to see if it's effective immediately and maintains benefits after 3-6 months.
2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Group I: Virtual reality exposure therapyExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Participants were allowed to choose one of two themes. For both themes, each scene was developed to be more anxiety-provoking as the VRE progressed. Greater anxiety-inducing scenes had interviewers and other actors who displayed less compassionate, friendly, humorous, and pleasant verbal and non-verbal behaviors and demeanors to elicit elevated anxiety (Carless \& Imber, 2007). Also, a virtual therapist was embedded within the VRE. It functioned to coach the participant through each distinct scene by orienting and prompting them to the exposure therapy task(s), continually conveying core principles of exposure therapy, and repeating the instructions if the participant was not responsive within five seconds. Each scene started with a paused video, during which participants were oriented by the virtual therapist to the context.
Group II: Waiting listActive Control1 Intervention
Participants started treatment 2-4 weeks post-randomization.
Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy Scripts is already approved in United States, European Union for the following indications:
🇺🇸 Approved in United States as Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for:
- Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)
🇪🇺 Approved in European Union as Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for:
- Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)
Find a Clinic Near You
Research Locations NearbySelect from list below to view details:
The Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity Park, PA
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Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Penn State UniversityLead Sponsor
Limbix Health, Inc.Industry Sponsor
References
Virtual reality exposure therapy does not provide any additional value in agoraphobic patients: a randomized controlled trial. [2019]A number of studies have demonstrated the efficacy of virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) in specific phobias, but research in seriously impaired patients with agoraphobia is lacking. In this randomized controlled trial with patients with agoraphobia and panic disorder, VRET and exposure in vivo were compared in terms of outcome and processes involved.
The influences of virtual social feedback on social anxiety disorders. [2022]Social feedback in the virtual environment is a critical part of successful virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET), and identifying the influences of virtual social feedback on social anxiety patients is necessary.
Tips for Effective Implementation of Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy in Phobias-A Systematic Review. [2021]Background: The high incidence of phobias and the limited accessibility of psychotherapy are the reasons for the search for alternative treatments that increase the availability of effective treatment. The use of virtual reality (VR) technology is an option with the potential to overcome the barriers in obtaining an effective treatment. VR exposure therapy (VRET) is based on a very similar rationale for in vivo exposure therapy. The study aimed to answer the question of how to perform exposure therapy in a virtual reality environment so that it is effective. Methods: A systematic review of the literature, using PRISMA guidelines, was performed. After analysis of 362 records, 11 research papers on agoraphobia, 28 papers on social phobia and 10 about specific phobias were selected for this review. Results: VRET in agoraphobia and social phobia is effective when performed from 8 to 12 sessions, on average once a week for at least 15 min. In turn, the treatment of specific phobias is effective even in the form of one longer session, lasting 45-180 min. Head mounted displays are an effective technology for VRET. Increasing the frequency of sessions and adding drug therapy may shorten the overall treatment duration. The effectiveness of VRET in phobias is greater without concomitant psychiatric comorbidity and on the condition of inducing and maintaining in the patient an experience of immersion in the VR environment. Long-term studies show a sustained effect of VRET in the treatment of phobias. Conclusion: A large number of studies on in VR exposure therapy in phobias allows for the formulation of some recommendations on how to perform VRET, enabling the effective treatment. The review also indicates the directions of further VRET research in the treatment of phobias.
The Simulation Game-Virtual Reality Therapy for the Treatment of Social Anxiety Disorder: A Systematic Review. [2021](1) Background: With the term Virtual reality (VR) we refer to a three-dimensional environment generated by the computer, in which subjects interact with the environment as if they were really inside it. The most used VR tools are the so-called HMD (head-mounted display) which make it possible to achieve what theorists define "direct mediated action". The aim of our systematic review is specifically to investigate the applications of virtual reality therapy for the treatment of social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia. The most common treatment for social anxiety disorder is represented by "in vivo exposure therapy" (iVET). This method consists of exposing the participant, in a gradual and controlled way, to anxious stimuli, with the goal to change the subject's response to the object or situation that is causing the fear. However, the main flaw of "in Vivo therapies" is represented by both the huge costs involved and the possible disturbance variables that can hinder the execution of the therapeutic treatment. Virtual reality exposure therapy could therefore, if confirmed in its effectiveness, constitute a solution to eliminate these two defects demonstrated by "in vivo exposure therapy". The goal is to use VR as a means for the clinician to build a tailor-made path for the participant in order to make him acquire "in virtual" those skills necessary for a good adaptation in the "real" world. (2) Methods: From February 2021 until the date of submission of the article (September 2021), we conducted a systematic review aiming to verify the effectiveness of virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) for the treatment of SAD. (3) Results: We identified a total of 205 unique articles. Among these, 20 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility and 5 of these met the eligibility criteria and were, therefore, included in the final systematic review. (4) Conclusions: Virtual reality therapies proved to be a valid alternative to the acquisition of social skills suitable for improving the symptoms of SAD. Although there has not been a significant difference between VRET and iVET, the low costs and flexibility of VRET open up new scenarios for achieving greater psychophysical well-being.
A Literature Review Examining Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for Individuals Diagnosed With Social Anxiety Disorder. [2023]Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is a specific subtype of anxiety disorder where individuals experience uncomfortable social situations that induce anxious feelings including nervousness and panic. Computer technology has been applied in interventions for many mental health disorders. We aim to understand and explore the use of virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) to treat adults with SAD. We conducted a literature search using relevant mesh keywords in PubMed and PsycINFO. Six studies met inclusion criteria in our final qualitative synthesis review. Results showed a significant reduction in SAD symptom severity based on primary measures in all studies, suggesting that VRET is an effective option in treating SAD. Studies have shown the success of VRET in formats such as a single-user implementation, one-session treatment, and self-training intervention. In conclusion, VRET is effective in reducing SAD symptoms. The limitations of most studies included a small sample size and weak ecological validity. Future research can examine VRET with a more extensive clinical sample and broader social behaviors.
Implementation of the MOTEK CAREN system in behavioural therapy for patients with anxiety disorders. [2019]Virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) is becoming a more and more popular treatment method for patients suffering from anxiety disorders. One of the VRET methods, wchich could be used for this group of patients is MOTEK CAREN system, however, so far no studies have been published on its implementation in psychiatric disorders.
Gamified, Automated Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for Fear of Spiders: A Single-Subject Trial Under Simulated Real-World Conditions. [2022]Virtual Reality exposure therapy (VRET) is an evidence-based treatment of phobias and recent research suggests that this applies also to self-contained, automated interventions requiring no therapist guidance. With the advent and growing adoption of consumer VR technology, automated VR intervention have the potential to close the considerable treatment gap for specific phobias through dissemination as consumer applications, self-help at clinics, or as blended treatment. There is however a lack of translational effectiveness studies on VRET treatment effects under real-world conditions.
Virtual reality exposure therapy of anxiety disorders: a review. [2004]Virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) is an altered form of behavioral therapy and may be a possible alternative to standard in vivo exposure. Virtual reality integrates real-time computer graphics, body tracking devices, visual displays, and other sensory input devices to immerse patients in a computer-generated virtual environment. Research on this type of treatment for anxiety disorders is discussed in this article, and the mediating and moderating variables that influence VR treatment effectiveness as well. Evidence is found that VRET is effective for participants with fear of heights and of flying. For other phobias, research to date is not conclusive. More randomized clinical trials in which VRET is compared with standard exposure are required. Furthermore, studies are needed in which VRET is not just a component of the treatment package evaluated, but in which VRET should be assessed as a stand-alone treatment.