Efficacy of Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy Scripts for Social Phobia

Completed · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Social Anxiety Disorder

In brief

The purpose of this study is to test the efficacy virtual reality videos to facilitate exposure therapy in social anxiety disorder (SAD). The exposure therapy videos are the focus of this experiment. Essentially, we are testing the efficacy of the Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) scripts (i.e., virtual scenarios, people, and interactions that we expose socially anxious people to). To this end, the goal of the current study is to help people with social anxiety overcome their phobias. Individuals who experience a difficult time building social relationships, accomplishing everyday tasks, or pursuing job interviews can practice those same behaviors in a controlled environment. Specifically, we aim to test the following hypotheses: (1) Virtual reality exposure therapy intervention (vs. waitlist control condition) is effective for treating SAD symptoms. (2) Participants who received the VRET will experience maintenance of treatment gains following 3-month and 6-month post-termination of treatment. (3) Users of the virtual reality exposure therapy will demonstrate high amounts of acceptability of the treatment.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT04850989

Run by

Penn State University

People needed

44

Starts

2018-12-18

Expected to finish

2020-12-31

Last updated by the study team

2025-05-13

Who can join

Age: 18 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Presence of Social Anxiety Disorder based on the Social Phobia Diagnostic Questionnaire self-report or Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview
• Current student at the Pennsylvania State University or a community-dwelling adult who expressed interest to participate through the PSU StudyFinder portal
• Expressed interest to seek treatment
• Currently not receiving treatment from a mental health professional
• Able to provide consent
• Proficient in English

You may not qualify if…

• Below age 18
• Failure to meet any of above inclusion criteria
• Presence of suicidality, mania, psychosis, or substance use disorders

Where it is running

• The Pennsylvania State University — University Park, Pennsylvania, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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