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Cited by 46Stuttering Research and TreatmentAnxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive ProcessesVirtual Reality Applications and Impacts

Virtual reality exposure therapy for treating social anxiety: a scoping review of treatment designs and adaptation to stuttering

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Chard, Ian, van Zalk, Nejra·2022·Frontiers in Digital Health
DOI 10.3389/fdgth.2022.842460PMC PMC8913509
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Abstract

Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) has been shown to be an effective technique for reducing social anxiety. People who stutter are at greater risk of developing heightened social anxiety. Cognitive behavior therapy protocols have shown promise in reducing social anxiety in people who stutter, but no studies have investigated VRET targeting social anxiety associated with stuttering. The aim of the current review is to provide an overview of VRET techniques used to treat social anxiety and insights into how these techniques might be adopted in the case of comorbid stuttering and social anxiety. Twelve studies were reviewed to understand key distinctions in VRET protocols used to treat social anxiety. Distinctions include exercises targeting public speaking vs. general social anxiety, computer-generated virtual environments vs. 360° video, and therapist guided vs. automated VRET. Based on the review findings, we propose how certain features could be applied in the case of stuttering. Virtual therapists, inhibitory learning techniques and integration into speech therapy may be suitable ways to tailor VRET. Regardless of these different techniques, VRET should consider the situations and cognitive-behavioral processes that underlie the experience of social anxiety amongst people who stutter.

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Authors
Chard, I., & van Zalk, N.
Affiliations
Imperial College London (GB)
Corresponding author
Chard, Ian
ORCID
Chard, Ian
Venue
Frontiers in Digital Health
Publisher
Frontiers Media SA
Published
2022-02-25
Volume
4
Pages
842460-842460
ISSN
2673-253X (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.3389/fdgth.2022.842460
PMC
PMC8913509
OpenAlex
W4214546081
Cited by
46
References
50
Citations by year
2026: 9 · 2025: 17 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 4
FWCI
1.55
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Frontiers in Digital Health (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • PsyArXiv (OSF Preprints) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • PsyArXiv (OSF Preprints) (submittedVersion)
  • Spiral (Imperial College London) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
UK Research and Innovation (EP/R513052/1)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Stuttering Research and Treatment
  • 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
Keywords
virtual reality exposure therapy, social anxiety, stuttering, public speaking anxiety, 360-degree video, virtual therapists, inhibitory learning, treatment design

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