In Vivo Versus Augmented Reality Exposure for Small Animal Phobia
NCT ID: NCT01361074
Last Updated: 2015-12-04
Study Results
The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.
Basic Information
Get a concise snapshot of the trial, including recruitment status, study phase, enrollment targets, and key timeline milestones.
COMPLETED
NA
60 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
2011-01-31
2013-01-31
Brief Summary
Review the sponsor-provided synopsis that highlights what the study is about and why it is being conducted.
The hypothesis is: There will not be significant statistical differences in the efficacy of in vivo exposure therapy versus augmented reality exposure in the treatment of specific phobia (small animals).
Detailed Description
Dive into the extended narrative that explains the scientific background, objectives, and procedures in greater depth.
Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) like Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) are pioneer applications that can improve treatment adherence and acceptance. There exist some studies offering preliminary evidence of the efficacy of AR for the treatment of small animal phobia. However, there are not any controlled study exploring the differential efficacy of ICT-based exposure interventions versus in vivo exposure. In the present study the differential efficacy of AR exposure versus in vivo exposure for the treatment of small animal phobia is explored with a between subject randomized controlled trial. A pre-treatment assessment will be conducted in order to establish the diagnosis and evaluate the main outcome measures. All participants will receive an intensive exposure session following Öst guidelines, (in vivo exposure in one experimental condition and AR exposure in the other experimental condition). After the treatment a post-treatment assessment will be carried out as well as follow-up assessments at 3- and 12-month after treatment completion.
Conditions
See the medical conditions and disease areas that this research is targeting or investigating.
Study Design
Understand how the trial is structured, including allocation methods, masking strategies, primary purpose, and other design elements.
RANDOMIZED
PARALLEL
TREATMENT
SINGLE
Study Groups
Review each arm or cohort in the study, along with the interventions and objectives associated with them.
In Vivo Exposure
In Vivo Exposure for Animal Phobia following Öst´s guidelines
In vivo exposure is applied using "one-session treatment" guidelines (Öst, Salkovskis and Hellström, 1991). Exposure is conducted in a single extended session lasting up to 3 hours and implemented individually. The treatment includes participant modelling, in vivo exposure, reinforced practice and cognitive challenge. Treatment in a single session is just a starting point; it is recommended that the participants continue to be exposed to the phobic situations after therapy in their daily lives in order to fully surmount their problems. Participants are informed that the treatment required close collaboration between themselves and the therapist. The exposure session is completed in a gradual and planned way.
Augmented Reality Exposure
Augmented Reality Exposure for Animal Phobia following Öst´s guidelines
Augmented Reality (AR) is a variation of Virtual Reality in which the user sees the real world augmented by various virtual elements; it complements reality rather than replacing it completely (Azuma et al., 2001). The most significant aspect of AR is that the virtual elements add relevant and helpful information to the physical information available in the real world. The system includes the options of changing the number, movement and size of small animals. Preliminary data show the utility of the system for the treatment of insect phobia (Botella et al., 2005). AR exposure is applied in the same way than in vivo exposure, that is, in a gradual, planned and controlled way using "one-session treatment" guidelines (Öst, Salkovskis and Hellström, 1991). The therapist can see what the participant sees in AR on a monitor and observe the same stimuli.
Interventions
Learn about the drugs, procedures, or behavioral strategies being tested and how they are applied within this trial.
In Vivo Exposure for Animal Phobia following Öst´s guidelines
In vivo exposure is applied using "one-session treatment" guidelines (Öst, Salkovskis and Hellström, 1991). Exposure is conducted in a single extended session lasting up to 3 hours and implemented individually. The treatment includes participant modelling, in vivo exposure, reinforced practice and cognitive challenge. Treatment in a single session is just a starting point; it is recommended that the participants continue to be exposed to the phobic situations after therapy in their daily lives in order to fully surmount their problems. Participants are informed that the treatment required close collaboration between themselves and the therapist. The exposure session is completed in a gradual and planned way.
Augmented Reality Exposure for Animal Phobia following Öst´s guidelines
Augmented Reality (AR) is a variation of Virtual Reality in which the user sees the real world augmented by various virtual elements; it complements reality rather than replacing it completely (Azuma et al., 2001). The most significant aspect of AR is that the virtual elements add relevant and helpful information to the physical information available in the real world. The system includes the options of changing the number, movement and size of small animals. Preliminary data show the utility of the system for the treatment of insect phobia (Botella et al., 2005). AR exposure is applied in the same way than in vivo exposure, that is, in a gradual, planned and controlled way using "one-session treatment" guidelines (Öst, Salkovskis and Hellström, 1991). The therapist can see what the participant sees in AR on a monitor and observe the same stimuli.
Other Intervention Names
Discover alternative or legacy names that may be used to describe the listed interventions across different sources.
Eligibility Criteria
Check the participation requirements, including inclusion and exclusion rules, age limits, and whether healthy volunteers are accepted.
Inclusion Criteria
* To meet current DSM-IV-TR criteria for specific phobia (animal type)
* Have as the major presenting complaint anxiety in, and avoidance of, a large range of situations involving spiders or cockroaches.
* A minimum of 1 year duration of the phobia.
* To have scores over 4 in phobic avoidance (on a scale of 0 to 8).
* Express a willingness to participate in the study.
Exclusion Criteria
* Have other psychiatric problem in immediate need of treatment.
* Have psychotic or organic symptoms.
* Have heart or lung disease.
* Current alcohol or drug dependence or medication.
18 Years
65 Years
ALL
No
Sponsors
Meet the organizations funding or collaborating on the study and learn about their roles.
University of Valencia
OTHER
Universitat Jaume I
OTHER
Responsible Party
Identify the individual or organization who holds primary responsibility for the study information submitted to regulators.
Principal Investigators
Learn about the lead researchers overseeing the trial and their institutional affiliations.
Cristina Botella, Full Professor
Role: STUDY_DIRECTOR
University Jaume I, Castellon, Spain.
Cristina Botella, Full Professor
Role: STUDY_DIRECTOR
University Jaume I, Castellon, Spain
Locations
Explore where the study is taking place and check the recruitment status at each participating site.
University Jaume I
Castellon, Castellon, Spain
University Jaume I
Castellon, Castellón, Spain
Countries
Review the countries where the study has at least one active or historical site.
References
Explore related publications, articles, or registry entries linked to this study.
Botella C, Breton-Lopez J, Quero S, Banos R, Garcia-Palacios A. Treating cockroach phobia with augmented reality. Behav Ther. 2010 Sep;41(3):401-13. doi: 10.1016/j.beth.2009.07.002. Epub 2010 Mar 20.
Essau CA, Conradt J, Petermann F. Frequency, comorbidity, and psychosocial impairment of specific phobia in adolescents. J Clin Child Psychol. 2000 Jun;29(2):221-31. doi: 10.1207/S15374424jccp2902_8.
Magee WJ, Eaton WW, Wittchen HU, McGonagle KA, Kessler RC. Agoraphobia, simple phobia, and social phobia in the National Comorbidity Survey. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1996 Feb;53(2):159-68. doi: 10.1001/archpsyc.1996.01830020077009.
Garcia-Palacios A, Botella C, Hoffman H, Fabregat S. Comparing acceptance and refusal rates of virtual reality exposure vs. in vivo exposure by patients with specific phobias. Cyberpsychol Behav. 2007 Oct;10(5):722-4. doi: 10.1089/cpb.2007.9962.
Garcia-Palacios A, Hoffman HG, See SK, Tsai A, Botella C. Redefining therapeutic success with virtual reality exposure therapy. Cyberpsychol Behav. 2001 Jun;4(3):341-8. doi: 10.1089/109493101300210231.
Marks IM, Mathews AM. Brief standard self-rating for phobic patients. Behav Res Ther. 1979;17(3):263-7. doi: 10.1016/0005-7967(79)90041-x. No abstract available.
Botella CM, Juan MC, Banos RM, Alcaniz M, Guillen V, Rey B. Mixing realities? An application of augmented reality for the treatment of cockroach phobia. Cyberpsychol Behav. 2005 Apr;8(2):162-71. doi: 10.1089/cpb.2005.8.162.
Juan MC, Alcaniz M, Monserrat C, Botella C, Banos RM, Guerrero B. Using augmented reality to treat phobias. IEEE Comput Graph Appl. 2005 Nov-Dec;25(6):31-7. doi: 10.1109/mcg.2005.143. No abstract available.
Ost LG. One-session treatment for specific phobias. Behav Res Ther. 1989;27(1):1-7. doi: 10.1016/0005-7967(89)90113-7.
Ost LG. [One-session treatment of specific phobias--a rapid and effective method]. Lakartidningen. 1988 Mar 30;85(13):1139-42. No abstract available. Swedish.
Related Links
Access external resources that provide additional context or updates about the study.
Information about our research group
International research group that focuses on virtual reality and analgesic effects
Other Identifiers
Review additional registry numbers or institutional identifiers associated with this trial.
UJaumeI01
Identifier Type: -
Identifier Source: org_study_id