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

Abstract

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.

Keywords: augmented reality; exposure therapy; in-vivo; phobia; spider.

Figure 1

Consort flow diagram.

Figure 2

A screenshot of the AR app used in this study depicting spider on the knees of a participant.

Figure 3

(A) Changes in Behavioral Approach (DeltaBAT) between pre-test and one-month follow up (1 m-pre) for Augmented Reality Exposure Therapy (ARET), In vivo Exposure Therapy (IVET), and Waitlist Control (WL) groups. (B) Changes in SPQ (DeltaSPQ) between pre-test and one-month follow up (1 m-pre) for Augmented Reality Exposure Therapy (ARET), In Vivo Exposure Therapy (IVET), and Waitlist Control (WL) groups. Error bars represent standard errors.