Comparing acceptance and refusal rates of virtual reality exposure vs. in vivo exposure by patients with specific phobias

Cyberpsychol Behav. 2007 Oct;10(5):722-4. doi: 10.1089/cpb.2007.9962.

Abstract

The present survey explored the acceptability of virtual reality (VR) exposure and in vivo exposure in 150 participants suffering from specific phobias. Seventy-six percent chose VR over in vivo exposure, and the refusal rate for in vivo exposure (27%) was higher than the refusal rate for VR exposure (3%). Results suggest that VR exposure could help increase the number of people who seek exposure therapy for phobias.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Computer Simulation*
  • Desensitization, Psychologic / instrumentation
  • Desensitization, Psychologic / methods*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care / psychology*
  • Phobic Disorders / classification
  • Phobic Disorders / psychology
  • Phobic Disorders / therapy*
  • Therapy, Computer-Assisted / methods*
  • Treatment Refusal / psychology*
  • User-Computer Interface