Virtual Reality for Social Anxiety Disorder

Overseen By Craig Motsenbocker, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

Disqualifiers: Schizophrenia, Bipolar, Severe depression, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 12 weeks

40 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Virtual Reality for Social Anxiety Disorder?

Research shows that combining virtual reality (VR) with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can effectively reduce social anxiety symptoms. Studies found that VR exposure is more practical and sometimes more effective than traditional in-person exposure, with improvements maintained over time. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is virtual reality exposure therapy safe for treating social anxiety disorder?

Research shows that virtual reality exposure therapy is generally safe for treating social anxiety disorder. In studies, participants did not drop out due to safety concerns, and the therapy was found to be practical and effective without any reported adverse effects. ^{1 2 3 5 6}

How does the virtual reality treatment for social anxiety disorder differ from other treatments?

The virtual reality treatment for social anxiety disorder is unique because it uses a computer-generated environment to simulate social situations, allowing patients to practice and build social skills in a controlled, cost-effective, and flexible way compared to traditional in-person exposure therapy. ^{1 2 5 7 8}

What is the purpose of this trial?

The purpose of this study is to compare CBT VR exposure + VR social skills treatment to CBT Imaginal exposure + mindfulness, in reducing the severity of social anxiety in adults with autism and social anxiety (SA), to identify characteristics associated with benefitting from the CBT-VR treatment and to assess acceptability and feasibility of the VR intervention for patients receiving it and use findings to improve methods and to prepare for a community based pragmatic trial.

Research Team

Katherine Loveland, PhD

Principal Investigator

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houstom

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults with autism who also experience social anxiety. Participants should be interested in trying virtual reality (VR) as part of their treatment. The study aims to help them by using VR alongside cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Specific eligibility details are not provided, but typically include being within a certain age range and having a formal diagnosis.

Inclusion Criteria

Average or greater intellectual ability based on history and interview

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosed by a qualified professional

Able to operate a computer (Windows or Mac)

Exclusion Criteria

Current or historical severe mental illness such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or severe depression

Intellectual disability or a learning disability that would interfere with participating (e.g., unable to read)

Unable to use the technology or do not have access to the technology

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive CBT VR exposure + VR social skills treatment or CBT Imaginal exposure + mindfulness

12 weeks

Weekly sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• CBT
• VR

Trial Overview The study is testing whether combining CBT with VR exposure and social skills training is more effective than traditional CBT with imaginal exposure and mindfulness techniques at reducing social anxiety in autistic adults.

Participant Groups

Group I: Virtual Reality (VR) assisted Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Group II: CBT alone Active Control 1 Intervention

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

Lead Sponsor

Trials

974

Recruited

361,000+

Findings from Research

A study involving 45 adults with social anxiety disorder (SAD) demonstrated that both traditional cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and a combined CBT with virtual reality (CBT-VR) significantly reduced anxiety levels compared to a waiting list group.

The results indicate that CBT treatments, including innovative approaches like CBT-VR, are effective for managing social anxiety, suggesting that these methods can be beneficial for individuals beyond just fear of public speaking.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Using virtual humans to alleviate social anxiety: preliminary report from a comparative outcome study. Robillard, G., Bouchard, S., Dumoulin, S., et al.[2019]

Virtual reality (VR) exposure therapy integrated into cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for social anxiety disorder (SAD) was found to be more effective than traditional in-person exposure, with significant improvements on the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale and other measures.

The study involved 59 participants over 14 weekly CBT sessions, and results showed that VR exposure not only led to better outcomes immediately after treatment but also maintained improvements at a 6-month follow-up, while being more practical for therapists.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Virtual reality compared with in vivo exposure in the treatment of social anxiety disorder: a three-arm randomised controlled trial. Bouchard, S., Dumoulin, S., Robillard, G., et al.[2019]

This trial will evaluate the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) combined with adaptive virtual reality (VR) exposure for treating social anxiety disorder (SAD) in 90 participants over 10 weekly sessions, aiming to provide real-time adjustments based on anxiety levels.

The study is designed with high methodological rigor, using a randomized controlled trial format and validated measures, which will help determine if the adaptive VR approach offers significant benefits over traditional CBT methods.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Cognitive behavioral therapy with adaptive virtual reality exposure vs. cognitive behavioral therapy with in vivo exposure in the treatment of social anxiety disorder: A study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Ørskov, PT., Lichtenstein, MB., Ernst, MT., et al.[2022]

Virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) is a promising alternative for treating social anxiety disorder (SAD), offering a cost-effective and flexible approach compared to traditional in vivo exposure therapy (iVET).

While VRET showed similar effectiveness to iVET in improving social skills and reducing SAD symptoms, its advantages include lower costs and the ability to create customized therapeutic experiences for patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Simulation Game-Virtual Reality Therapy for the Treatment of Social Anxiety Disorder: A Systematic Review. Caponnetto, P., Triscari, S., Maglia, M., et al.[2021]

Virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) has been shown to significantly reduce symptoms of social anxiety disorder (SAD) across six studies, indicating its effectiveness as a treatment option.

Most studies had small sample sizes and limitations in ecological validity, suggesting that future research should involve larger clinical samples to better assess VRET's impact on a wider range of social behaviors.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Literature Review Examining Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for Individuals Diagnosed With Social Anxiety Disorder. Arif, R., Ashraf, S., Bhatt, K., et al.[2023]

References

1. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Using virtual humans to alleviate social anxiety: preliminary report from a comparative outcome study. [2019]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Virtual reality compared with in vivo exposure in the treatment of social anxiety disorder: a three-arm randomised controlled trial. [2019]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Virtual reality exposure therapy for social anxiety disorder: a randomized controlled trial. [2013]

4. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Exposure to virtual social interactions in the treatment of social anxiety disorder: A randomized controlled trial. [2017]

5. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Cognitive behavioral therapy with adaptive virtual reality exposure vs. cognitive behavioral therapy with in vivo exposure in the treatment of social anxiety disorder: A study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. [2022]

6. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Do conversations with virtual avatars increase feelings of social anxiety? [2019]

7. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Simulation Game-Virtual Reality Therapy for the Treatment of Social Anxiety Disorder: A Systematic Review. [2021]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Literature Review Examining Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for Individuals Diagnosed With Social Anxiety Disorder. [2023]