Clinical Trial: Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy in Agoraphobic Participants

Study Status: Completed
Recruit Status: Completed
Study Type: Interventional

Official Title: Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy in Agoraphobic Participants

Brief Summary:

Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) is an effective treatment for anxiety disorders, particularly for specific phobias as fear of heights and fear of flying (e.g. Powers & Emmelkamp, 2008). Recent technological advances (e.g. more realistic avatars) make research into the efficacy of VRET for participants with elevated agoraphobic symptoms desirable. Therefore, the aim of the present research proposal is to investigate the comparative efficacy of:

  1. enhanced VRET making use of the latest avatar technology with
  2. exposure in vivo in agoraphobic participants
  3. wait-list control.

Detailed Summary:
Sponsor: VU University of Amsterdam

Current Primary Outcome: Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS); Mobility Inventory for Agoraphobia (MI); Behavioural Avoidance Test (BAT) [ Time Frame: Assessed at pre- and post-treatment and 6-12 months follow-up ]

Original Primary Outcome: Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS); Mobility Inventory for Agoraphobia (MI) [ Time Frame: Assessed at pre- and post-treatment and 9-12 months follow-up ]

Current Secondary Outcome: Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI); Anxiety Sensitivity Inventory (ASI); Beck Depression Inventory (BDI); Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS); Agoraphobic Cognitions Questionnaire (ACQ); Bodily Sensations Questionnaire (BSQ); Panic Appraisal Inventory (PAI) [ Time Frame: Process measures: are taken prior to treatment, after the fourth treatment session and at post-treatment. The PDSS and PAI will be administered every therapy session ]

Process measures are taken prior to treatment, after the fourth treatment session and at post-treatment. The same measures will also be taken at 6 months follow-up.


Original Secondary Outcome: Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI); Anxiety Sensitivity Inventory (ASI); Panic Appraisal Inventory (PAI); Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) [ Time Frame: Process measures ]

Information By: VU University of Amsterdam

Dates:
Date Received: August 11, 2008
Date Started: October 2008
Date Completion:
Last Updated: March 20, 2013
Last Verified: March 2013