چکیده مقاله
The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of virtual reality based treatments in reducing the severity of specific phobias and enhancing exposure tolerance in patients with phobic disorders This study employed a quasi experimental clinical trial design with a pretest–posttest control group The statistical population consisted of all patients with specific phobias who referred to counseling centers and psychotherapy clinics in Tehran in 2025 From this population, 40 eligible participants were randomly assigned to two groups of 20: a virtual reality based exposure therapy group and a traditional in vivo exposure therapy control group Data were collected using the Spielberger Phobia Questionnaire SPQ , the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory STAI , and the Exposure Tolerance Index ETI The experimental group underwent eight 45 minute sessions of virtual reality exposure therapy, while the control group received traditional in vivo exposure therapy Data analysis was performed using repeated measures ANOVA and independent t tests in SPSS version 26 Participants included individuals diagnosed with specific phobias e g , fear of heights, animals, flying, or injections based on DSM 5 criteria, aged 18–45 years, and without severe psychiatric comorbidities The results revealed a significant difference between the two groups in terms of phobia severity reduction p < 0 01 Patients receiving virtual reality based treatment exhibited greater reductions in anxiety and fear scores and a marked increase in exposure tolerance compared to those in the traditional exposure group Follow up assessments two months later indicated relative stability of therapeutic effects in the virtual reality group, whereas partial relapse was observed in the traditional exposure group Furthermore, patient satisfaction and treatment acceptance were significantly higher in the virtual reality condition Findings suggest that virtual reality based treatments can serve as an effective and safe alternative to traditional exposure therapy for patients with specific phobias The use of virtual environments enhances the sense of control, reduces anxiety, facilitates gradual exposure, and improves patients’ tolerance toward fear inducing situations Given the demonstrated efficacy, safety, and acceptability of this approach, virtual reality exposure therapy can be considered a novel and efficient method for treating anxiety and phobic disorders Future studies are recommended to employ larger sample sizes and longer follow up periods to further examine the durability of treatment effects
کلیدواژهها
نویسندگان
Mohammad Mantegh
M A in Clinical Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Tehran Medical Sciences Branch, Tehran, Iran
Arsalan Barekat
Ph D Candidate in Health Psychology, Tonekabon Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mazandaran, Iran
شیوه ارجاع
Mantegh, Mohammad and Barekat, Arsalan,1404,The Effectiveness of Virtual Reality-Based Treatments in Reducing Specific Phobias and Increasing Exposure Tolerance in Patients,24th International Conference on Psychology,Counseling,and Educational Sciences.
ارائهشده در
مجموعه مقالات بیست و چهارمین کنفرانس بین المللی روانشناسی، مشاوره و علوم تربیتی30 آبان 1404