Treatment of acrophobia in virtual reality: The role of immersion and presence

In this study the effects of virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) were investigated in patients with acrophobia. Feelings of presence in VRET were systematically varied by using either a head-mounted display (HMD) (low presence) or a computer automatic virtual environment (CAVE) (high presence)....

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Behaviour research and therapy 2004-02, Vol.42 (2), p.229-239
Main Authors: Krijn, Merel, Emmelkamp, Paul M.G, Biemond, Roeline, de Wilde de Ligny, Claudius, Schuemie, Martijn J, van der Mast, Charles A.P.G
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analysis of Variance
Behavior therapy
Behavior therapy. Cognitive therapy
Biological and medical sciences
Computer applications
Computer Simulation
Conditioning (Psychology)
Exposure therapy
Fear & phobias
Female
Height
Humans
Implosive Therapy - methods
Male
Medical sciences
Mental health
Middle Aged
Phobias
Phobic Disorders - psychology
Phobic Disorders - therapy
Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychopathology. Psychiatry
Therapy
Therapy, Computer-Assisted - methods
Treatment Outcome
Treatment outcomes
Treatments
Virtual reality
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Summary:In this study the effects of virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) were investigated in patients with acrophobia. Feelings of presence in VRET were systematically varied by using either a head-mounted display (HMD) (low presence) or a computer automatic virtual environment (CAVE) (high presence). VRET in general was found to be more effective than no treatment. No differences were found in effectiveness between VRET using an HMD or CAVE. Results were maintained at 6 months follow-up. Results of VRET were comparable with those of exposure in vivo (Cyberpsychology and Behavior 4 (2001) 335). In treatment completers no relationship was found between presence and anxiety. Early drop-outs experienced less acrophobic complaints and psychopathology in general at pre-test. They also experienced less presence and anxiety in the virtual environment used in session one as compared to patients that completed VRET.
ISSN:0005-7967
1873-622X
DOI:10.1016/S0005-7967(03)00139-6