Feasibility trial of virtual reality exposure therapy for selective mutism

Virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) has been commonly utilised as an extension of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). However, most studies examined its effectiveness among adults, with no study focusing on children with selective mutism (SM). We aimed to examine its feasibility and acceptabili...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Clinical child psychology and psychiatry 2022-04, Vol.27 (2), p.351-368
Main Authors: Tan, Yi Ren, Ooi, Yoon Phaik, Ang, Rebecca P, Goh, Dion H, Kwan, Clare, Fung, Daniel SS, Sung, Sharon C
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Anxiety - psychology
Anxiety Disorders - therapy
Attrition
Child
Child & adolescent psychiatry
Children
Cognitive behavioral therapy
Cognitive-behavioral factors
Efficacy
Exposure therapy
Feasibility
Feasibility Studies
Humans
Medical diagnosis
Mutism
Mutism - therapy
Selective mutism
Speech
Technology
Virtual reality
Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy
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Summary:Virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) has been commonly utilised as an extension of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). However, most studies examined its effectiveness among adults, with no study focusing on children with selective mutism (SM). We aimed to examine its feasibility and acceptability among children with SM. Twenty children aged 6–12 with SM diagnosis were recruited and completed six therapist-guided VRET sessions. Parents and clinicians completed measures at pre-VRET, post-VRET, 1-month and 3-month follow-up visits. At post-VRET, parent and child participants completed the acceptability questionnaires. Findings suggested the feasibility of VRET as all participants completed the programme with no attrition. Parents and child participants also reported VRET to be an acceptable and effective treatment for SM. Significant improvement in overall functioning were found at post-treatment and follow-up measures, but there were no significant changes in parent-rated speech frequency and anxiety measures. These support the acceptability of VRET as an adjunct modality (and not substitute) of CBT in SM treatment. Future studies, with more robust experimental designs and larger sample sizes, can be conducted to confirm its efficacy. As technology becomes more sophisticated, tools such as virtual environments can be explored to enhance evidence-based care for children and their families.
ISSN:1359-1045
1461-7021
DOI:10.1177/13591045211056920