Evaluation of the Effectiveness of One- and Multi-Session Exposure-Based Treatments in Reducing Biological and Psychological Responses to Rat Phobia Among Students

The efficacy of augmented reality exposure therapy in the treatment of spider phobia-a randomized controlled trial

The evidence for the use of Augmented Reality (AR) in treating specific phobias has been growing. However, issues of accessibility persist, especially in developing countries. The current study examined a novel, but relatively simple therapist guided smartphone-based AR Exposure Treatment (ARET) of spider phobia. Participants who reported symptoms of Arachnophobia were randomized into one of three comparison groups: ARET (n = 20), traditional in vivo exposure therapy (IVET; n = 18) and a waitlist control group (n = 17). Behavioral approach, subjective symptom measures, and galvanic skin response were assessed pre- and post-treatment. The study was concluded with a one-month follow up assessment. Results indicated that both treatment groups showed statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in behavioral approach at post-test that were maintained at 1 month follow- up, compared to the wait-listed group. Moreover, the treatment groups demonstrated significant improvements in subjective symptom report at 1-month follow up. Given its utility and potential accessibility, our findings suggest that future AR evaluation research could be conducted in therapy settings with minimal resources.

An internet-based self-applied rat phobia treatment using a Virtual Therapy Assistant: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Specific phobias are a common anxiety disorder that deteriorates the lives of people who suffer from them. To reduce the symptoms produced by this mental disorder exposure therapies have been used. However, low- and middle-income countries, including Mexico, have the lowest rate of treatment due to multiple barriers that prevent addressing mental health problems. Self-applied treatments have been explored in previous studies, nevertheless, high dropout rates are a common problem in this kind of treatment. An alternative is using immersive self-applied treatments that could help increase adherence to the treatment. This article aims to present a study protocol to explore the feasibility of an Internet self-applied exposure treatment for rat phobias, using four types of immersive multimedia elements: images, videos, video games, and 360° videos. Also, the satisfaction and perception of a Virtual Therapy Assistant (VTA) that provides information and support to the user are described. The study protocol will compare two groups of participants, one on the waiting list, and the other will receive the self-applied treatment for rat phobia supported by the VTA. For this study, 45 participants will be recruited and the evaluation measures will be taken at four different times: baseline, post-treatment, and follow-ups at 3 and 6 months. The levels of anxiety and avoidance of the user manifested during the exposure to the multimedia elements, the improvement of the user's clinical symptoms, the level of satisfaction, the perception of effectiveness, and ease of use of the self-applied system will be evaluated. This study is expected to support the viability of self-applied treatment for rat phobias and the use of a VTA, showing the impact on treatment adherence. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to explore an exposure treatment for rats using different multimedia elements with the support of a VTA. The work will serve as a basis for the development of new virtual assistants that help in the treatment of other types of specific phobias. This research has been registered in Clinical Trials NCT (NCT05081323).