Background Aviophobia (the fear of flying) can greatly impact the daily life functioning of people with the condition. Traditional exposure-based treatment is hampered by the limited availability of airplane practice situations, which is a result of economical and practical concerns. Easily accessible and low-cost virtual reality exposure therapy may address these challenges. Objective The purpose of our study is to investigate the effectiveness of ZeroPhobia: Aviophobia (a self-help mobile app–based treatment) in reducing flight anxiety symptoms and depressive and anxiety symptoms. We will also investigate the effects of usage intensity, the sense of immersion, inherent absorption ability, and perceived user-friendliness on the treatment effect. Methods Participants (N=114) who are aged 18-64 years and experience at least mild symptoms of aviophobia will be recruited from the general Dutch population and randomized into a treatment group or waitlist control group. By using their own phones and rudimentary mobile virtual reality headsets, participants will receive six modules of psychoeducation and cognitive behavioral therapy, which will include six levels of virtual reality exposure therapy over a period of 6 weeks. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, posttest (ie, after 6 weeks), and 3- and 12-month follow-ups. The primary outcome measure of our study is the Flight Anxiety Situations Questionnaire. The secondary outcome measures include anxiety and depression measures and additional covariates (including usage intensity, the degree of immersion, etc). We will test treatment effectiveness by conducting an intention-to-treat analysis and estimating average treatment effects on the treated. The mechanisms of treatment effect will also be explored. Results The study was funded on September 25, 2018. Ethical approval was received on October 11, 2019. Recruitment closed on May 7, 2020. Conclusions Our study will further the scientific understanding and clinical implications of technology’s current ability to aid in providing effective, accessible treatment for the fear of flying. Trial Registration Netherlands Trial Registry NL70238.029.19; https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/8257. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/22008
Background Access to evidence-based psychological treatment is a challenge worldwide. We assessed the effectiveness of a fully automated aviophobia smartphone app treatment delivered in combination with a $5 virtual reality (VR) viewer. Methods In total, 153 participants from the Dutch general population with aviophobia symptoms and smartphone access were randomized in a single-blind randomized controlled trial to either an automated VR cognitive behavior therapy (VR-CBT) app treatment condition (n = 77) or a wait-list control condition (n = 76). The VR-CBT app was delivered over a 6-week period in the participants' natural environment. Online self-report assessments were completed at baseline, post-treatment, at 3-month and at 12-month follow-up. The primary outcome measure was the Flight Anxiety Situations Questionnaire (FAS). Analyses were based on intent-to-treat. Results A significant reduction of aviophobia symptoms at post-test for the VR-CBT app compared with the control condition [p < 0.001; d = 0. 98 (95% CI 0.65–1.32)] was demonstrated. The dropout rate was 21%. Results were maintained at 3-month follow-up [within-group d = 1.14 (95% CI 0.46–1.81)] and at 12-month follow-up [within-group d = 1.12 (95% CI 0.46–1.79)]. Six participants reported adverse effects of cyber sickness symptoms. Conclusions This study is the first to show that fully automated mobile VR-CBT therapy delivered in a natural setting can maintain long-term effectiveness in reducing aviophobia symptoms. In doing so, it offers an accessible and scalable evidence-based treatment solution that can be applied globally at a fraction of the cost of current treatment alternatives.
Background Fear of spiders, or Arachnophobia, is one of the most common specific phobias. The gold standard treatment, in vivo exposure therapy, is effective, but comes with significant limitations, including restricted availability, high costs, and high refusal rates. Novel technologies, such as augmented reality, may help to overcome these limitations and make Exposure Therapy more accessible by using mobile devices. Objective This study will use a Randomized Controlled Trial design to investigate whether ZeroPhobia: Arachnophobia, a 6-week Augmented Reality Exposure Therapy smartphone self-help application, can effectively reduce spider phobia symptoms. Additionally, we will examine user-friendliness of the application and the effect of usage intensity and presence on treatment outcome. Methods This study is registered in the Netherlands Trial Registry under NL70238.029.19 (Trial NL9221). Ethical approval was received on October 11, 2019. One-hundred-twelve participants (age 18–64, score ≥ 59) on the Fear of Spiders Questionnaire [FSQ] will be recruited from the general Dutch population and randomly assigned to a treatment or waitlist control group. The ZeroPhobia application can be accessed on users’ smartphone. Baseline, post-test (i.e., at six weeks), 3- and 12-month follow-up assessments will be done, each including the Fear of Spiders Questionnaire as the main outcome measure as well as additional measures of anxiety, depression, user-friendliness, and presence as secondary measures and covariates. Results The study was funded on September 25, 2018. Data collection started in September 2021 and the study is expected to run until September 2022. Conclusions Our study will improve our understanding of the efficacy and feasibility of providing Exposure Therapy for spider phobia using an Augmented Reality self-help application, with the intention of making mental health care more accessible.
BACKGROUND Aviophobia (fear of flying) can greatly impact daily life functioning in those afflicted. Traditional exposure-based treatment is hampered by limited availability to practice with airplane situations due to economical and practical reasons. Low-cost and easily accessible virtual reality exposure therapy may address these challenges. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of ZeroPhobia: Aviophobia in reducing flight anxiety symptoms as well as depressive and anxiety symptoms. We will also investigate the effect of usage intensity, sense of immersion, inherent absorption ability, and perceived user-friendliness on the treatment effect. METHODS Participants (n = 113, age 18 - 64 reporting at least mild symptoms of aviophobia) will be recruited from the Dutch general population and randomized to receive treatment or waitlist control. Using their own phone and rudimentary mobile virtual reality headset, participants will receive six modules of psychoeducation and elements of cognitive behavioral therapy, including six levels of virtual reality exposure therapy over a period of six weeks. Assessments occur at baseline, post-test (6 weeks), and 3- and 12-month follow-ups. The primary outcome of this research is the Flight Anxiety Situations Questionnaire. Secondary outcomes include measurements of anxiety and depression, as well as additional covariates (including usage intensity, degree of immersion, etc.). We will test the effectiveness using Intention to Treat (ITT) and Average Treatment effects on the Treated (ATT) analysis. Mechanisms of treatment effect will also be explored. RESULTS Funded on 25 September 2018. Ethical approval received on 11 October 2019. Recruitment closed on 7 May 2020. CONCLUSIONS The present study will further scientific understanding and clinical implications of technology’s current ability to aid in effective, accessible treatment for fear of flying. CLINICALTRIAL Netherlands Trial Registry, NL70238.029.19, 2019-11-04, https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/8257
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.