Real-Life Contextualization of Exposure Therapy Using Augmented Reality: A Pilot Clinical Trial of a Novel Treatment Method
Abstract
Background Phobias, including arachnophobia, are common and can be treated with exposure therapy, a method that is limited by a lack of feared objects/situations in clinical settings. Methods In a pilot parallel randomized controlled trial (RCT) to test the feasibility and efficacy of augmented reality exposure therapy (ARET), 25 men and women ages 18 to 45 with arachnophobia were designated (ABAB block allocation) to ARET for arachnophobia (n = 13) or waitlist control (n = 12). Data were collected at baseline, 1-week, and 1-month follow-up, and single-session ARET occurred immediately following baseline collection for the intervention group. Results All ARET participants were able to touch a live tarantula or the tank containing it after single-session exposure; the control group remained >1 meter away from the tank. Effects persisted or improved at 1-month followup. The Fear of Spiders Questionnaire (FSQ) and Behavioral Approach Test (BAT) showed large, significant beneficial effects of ARET compared with a waitlist control group (BAT: P Conclusions We found ARET can feasibly be delivered using a wearable device running novel software with rapid responses and sustained effects. Replication and expansion of this pilot RCT will further support use of ARET for this and other specific phobias.
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A pilot parallel RCT has tested the feasibility of an ARET based on an HMD that uses more innovative glasses for the treatment of patients suffering from arachnophobia.
“A pilot parallel RCT has tested the feasibility of an ARET based on an HMD that uses more innovative glasses for the treatment of patients suffering from arachnophobia.”
From Effectiveness of a projection-based augmented reality exposure system in treating cockroach phobia: Study protocol of a randomised controlled trial (2023) · cites this paper as [19]
The results show that this system is feasible for implementation in the treatment of arachnophobia, being a system that can be applied in a simple and more friendly way for the user.
“The results show that this system is feasible for its implementation in the treatment of arachnophobia, being a system that can be applied in a simple and more friendly way for the user.19”
From Effectiveness of a projection-based augmented reality exposure system in treating cockroach phobia: Study protocol of a randomised controlled trial (2023) · cites this paper as [19]
There are already some studies showing the feasibility of new AR systems based on sunglasses-like HMDs that greatly facilitate their use and implementation in exposure treatment.
“There are already some studies showing the feasibility of new AR systems based on sunglasses-like HMDs that greatly facilitate their use and implementation in exposure treatment, but the efficacy results need to be proven in further studies.19”
From Effectiveness of a projection-based augmented reality exposure system in treating cockroach phobia: Study protocol of a randomised controlled trial (2023) · cites this paper as [19]
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References 28 · Cited by 13
- Authors
- Javanbakht, A., Madaboosi, S., & Grasser, L. R.
- Affiliations
- Wayne State University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Javanbakht, Arash
- Venue
- Annals of Clinical Psychiatry
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2021-11
- Volume
- 33
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 220-231
- ISSN
- 1040-1237 (ISSN-L)
- 1547-3325
- OpenAlex
- W3207155055
- Cited by
- 13
- References
- 28
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 5
- FWCI
- 1.93
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Annals of Clinical Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institute of Mental Health (F31MH120927)
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (R01HD099178)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Human-Computer Interaction › Virtual Reality Applications and Impacts
- Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition › Augmented Reality Applications
- Keywords
- spider phobia, specific phobia, exposure therapy, wearable devices, fear extinction, treatment feasibility, single-session intervention
- MeSH terms
- Augmented Reality, Animals, Humans, Implosive Therapy, Phobic Disorders, Spiders
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