Augmenting Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for Acrophobia

Status Suspended

Clinical Trial Summary

This study will examine whether tactile feedback and point-based rewards can be used to improve outcomes from virtual reality exposure therapy for acrophobia.

Clinical Trial Description

Exposure therapy is one of the most potent techniques available for treating anxiety-related disorders, including specific phobia. However, estimates suggest that 10-48% of anxiety patients do not fully respond to exposure therapy. Meta-analyses demonstrate that virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) is equally effective as traditional, in vivo ('in life') exposure therapy. Furthermore, individuals with anxiety disorders report greater preference (and lower likelihood of treatment refusal) for VR, rather than in vivo, exposure therapy. Although VRET has well-established efficacy and is rapidly growing in popularity, there has been very little research evaluating how specific elements of VR game design might be used to improve outcomes from VRET. This study evaluates two game design elements that we hypothesize will improve VRET outcomes: tactile feedback and a point-based reward system. Tactile feedback (TF; i.e., touching a real object that matches an element in the VR environment) enhances sense of presence in VR. Higher presence activates anxiety during VRET, which is essential for promoting the active mechanisms of exposure therapy and may also improve treatment retention. On the other hand, point-based rewards (PR) in games enhance sense of competence (i.e., sense of progress and achievement), and increase both enjoyment and likelihood of future use of games. Furthermore, several studies demonstrate that PR improves traditionally difficult-to-change health behaviors, such as increasing exercise frequency and reducing misuse of pain medications. Although this research is promising, the impact of PR on VRET is unknown. To test the influence of TF and PR on VRET outcomes, we will randomize participants with acrophobia to receive (a) standard virtual reality exposure therapy, (b) VRET with tactile feedback, (c) VRET with a point-based reward system, or (d) VRET with tactile feedback and a point-based reward system. Participants' fear reactivity will be assessed with behavioral, physiological, and subjective/self-report measures at baseline, post-treatment, and follow-up. ;

Study Design

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

Clinical Trial Details

NCT number	NCT03917433
Study type	Interventional
Source	University of Nevada, Reno
Contact
Status	Suspended
Phase	N/A
Start date	April 10, 2019
Completion date	January 1, 2023

View Details

See also
Status	Clinical Trial	Phase
Completed	`NCT03535805` - Transdiagnostic, Cognitive and Behavioral Intervention for in School-aged Children With Emotional and Behavioral Disturbances	N/A
Active, not recruiting	`NCT05006976` - A Naturalistic Trial of Nudging Clinicians in the Norwegian Sickness Absence Clinic. The NSAC Nudge Study	N/A
Recruiting	`NCT05419934` - EMDR Therapy in Young Children, a Double-blinded Randomized Controlled Trial	N/A
Active, not recruiting	`NCT04136054` - Better Sleep in Psychiatric Care - Anxiety and Affective Disorders	N/A
Completed	`NCT04091139` - Research of Unified Protocol for the Treatment of Common Mental Disorders in Adolescents in Hong Kong	Phase 2/Phase 3
Completed	`NCT04647318` - Physiological Response to Self-compassion Versus Relaxation	N/A
Active, not recruiting	`NCT05114824` - Acceptability and Feasibility of an 8-week Online Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Program Among Undergraduate Students	N/A
Recruiting	`NCT05843695` - Enhancing Psychotherapy for Veterans and Service Members With PTSD and Anxiety	N/A
Completed	`NCT05078450` - Mood Lifters Online for Graduate Students and Young Professionals	N/A
Not yet recruiting	`NCT06162624` - Pilot Effectiveness Trial of an ACT Self-help Workbook Tailored Specifically for Prisons	N/A
Not yet recruiting	`NCT05863637` - Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP) for Anxiety Diagnoses in a Primary Care Setting	N/A
Not yet recruiting	`NCT05747131` - Emotion Detectives In-Out: Feasibility and Efficacy of a Blended Version of the Unified Protocol for Children	N/A
Not yet recruiting	`NCT05225701` - Efficacy of a Transdiagnostic Guided Internet-Delivered Intervention for Emotional, Trauma and Stress-Related Disorders.	N/A
Completed	`NCT02579915` - Developing a Low-Intensity Primary Care Intervention for Anxiety Disorders (AIM-PC)	N/A
Recruiting	`NCT02376959` - Effect of Spiritist "Passe" Energy Therapy in Reducing Anxiety in Volunteers	N/A
Recruiting	`NCT02186366` - Efficacy Study of Abdominal Massage Therapy to Treat Generalized Anxiety Disorder of Deficiency of Both Heart and Spleen Type	N/A
Not yet recruiting	`NCT02126787` - Short-term, Intensive Psychodynamic Group Therapy Versus Cognitive-behavioral Group Therapy in the Day Treatment	N/A
Completed	`NCT02134730` - School-based Universal Prevention for Anxiety and Depression in Sweden: A Cluster-randomized Trial	N/A
Withdrawn	`NCT01953042` - Benefits of a Psychoeducation Program for Those Awaiting Treatment for OCD and OCD Spectrum Disorders	N/A
Completed	`NCT01636791` - CBT Versus a Return to Work Intervention for Patients With Common Mental Illness in Primary Care	Phase 3