Citation

Powers MB, Briceno NF, Gresham R, Jouriles EN, Emmelkamp PM, Smits JA. J. Anxiety Disord. 2013; 27(4): 398-403.

Affiliation

Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX, United States. Electronic address: mbpowers@smu.edu.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.janxdis.2013.03.003

PMID

23746490

Abstract

Virtual reality (VR) technology provides a way to conduct exposure therapy with patients with social anxiety. However, the primary limitation of current technology is that the operator is limited to pre-programed avatars that cannot be controlled to interact/converse with the patient in real time. The current study piloted new technology allowing the operator to directly control the avatar (including speaking) during VR conversations. Using an incomplete repeated measures (VR vs. in vivo conversation) design and random starting order with rotation counterbalancing, participants (N=26) provided ratings of fear and presence during both VR and in vivo conversations. Results showed that VR conversation successfully elevated fear ratings relative to baseline (d=2.29). Participants also rated their fear higher during VR conversation than during in vivo conversation (d=0.85). However, in vivo conversation was rated as more realistic than VR conversation (d=0.74). No participants dropped out and 100% completed both VR and in vivo conversations. Qualitative participant comments suggested that the VR conversations would be more realistic if they did not meet the actor/operator and if they were not in the same room as the participant. Overall, the data suggest that the novel technology allowing real time interaction/conversation in VR may prove useful for the treatment of social anxiety in future studies.

Language: en