The DOI matches its Crossref record; 159 of the 161 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
The use of virtual reality in acrophobia research and treatment
Abstract
Acrophobia, or fear of heights, is a widespread and debilitating anxiety disorder affecting perhaps 1 in 20 adults. Virtual reality (VR) technology has been used in the psychological treatment of acrophobia since 1995, and has come to dominate the treatment of numerous anxiety disorders. It is now known that virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) regimens are highly effective for acrophobia treatment. This paper reviews current theoretical understanding of acrophobia as well as the evolution of its common treatments from the traditional exposure therapies to the most recent virtually guided ones. In particular, the review focuses on recent innovations in the use of VR technology and discusses the benefits it may offer for examining the underlying causes of the disorder, allowing for the systematic assessment of interrelated factors such as the visual, vestibular and postural control systems.
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“iVR has been extensively researched beyond specific phobias, and reports have validated a panoramic impact on both stress-related and chronic anxiety disorders [24,25].”
From SAFEvR MentalVeRse.app: Development of a Free Immersive Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for Acrophobia and Claustrophobia (2024) · cites this paper as [25]
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Huppert, D., Brandt, T., & Crispin, A. (2013) · MMW - Fortschritte der Medizin · doi:10.1007/s15006-013-2540-2
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BackgroundVR-Based Exposure Therapy for Acrophobia: Effects of Visual Realism and Interactivity
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“Indeed, research has demonstrated that virtual reality can produce emotional experiences similar to those experienced in real environments (Brey, 2014; Coelho et al., 2009; Wallach et al., 2009).”
A survey on the prevalence of acrophobia-induced symptoms among amateur trekkers
Ghodekar, A. V., & Gunjal, S. B. (2026) · International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences · doi:10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20261683
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Metadata
- Authors
- Coelho, C. M., Waters, A. M., Hine, T. J., & Wallis, G.
- Affiliations
- The University of Queensland (AU)
- Griffith University (AU)
- Corresponding author
- Coelho, Carlos M.
- Venue
- Journal of Anxiety Disorders
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2009-06
- Volume
- 23
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 563-574
- ISSN
- 0887-6185 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2148405318
- Cited by
- 127
- References
- 161
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 12 · 2020: 17 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 9 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 0.36
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Anxiety Disorders (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Griffith Research Online (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Human-Computer Interaction › Virtual Reality Applications and Impacts
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Digital Mental Health Interventions
- Keywords
- acrophobia, virtual reality exposure therapy, fear of heights, anxiety disorders, exposure therapy, virtual reality, vestibular system, postural control, visual perception, treatment efficacy
- MeSH terms
- Fear, Humans, Locomotion, Motion Perception, Phobic Disorders, Photic Stimulation, Posture, User-Computer Interface, Vestibule, Labyrinth, Visual Perception, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Self Efficacy
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