30 Participants Needed

Augmented Reality Exposure for Animal Phobia

AJ
KG
Overseen ByKathleen Gorski, LMSW
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial uses augmented reality to help people who are afraid of dogs. Patients wear special glasses that show virtual dogs in their real surroundings. A therapist guides them through interactions with these virtual dogs to help reduce their fear.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

Yes, you will need to stop taking antidepressant medications, mood stabilizers, or benzodiazepines to participate in this trial.

Is augmented reality exposure therapy safe for treating animal phobias?

Augmented reality exposure therapy has been shown to be well accepted and safe for treating specific phobias, with participants reporting positive experiences and satisfaction with the treatment.12345

How does augmented reality exposure therapy differ from other treatments for animal phobia?

Augmented reality exposure therapy is unique because it combines real-world environments with virtual elements, allowing patients to face their fears in a controlled and less aversive way compared to traditional in vivo exposure. This method is well-accepted by patients and can be more accessible and cost-effective, as it doesn't require modeling entire virtual environments.12356

What data supports the effectiveness of augmented reality exposure therapy for animal phobia?

Research shows that augmented reality exposure therapy is effective for treating specific animal phobias, like fear of spiders and cockroaches. Studies found that participants using augmented reality significantly reduced their fear levels and maintained these improvements over time, making it a well-accepted and effective treatment option.12357

Who Is on the Research Team?

AJ

Arash Javanbakht, MD

Principal Investigator

Wayne State University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals who have a strong fear of dogs (cynophobia) as their main issue, confirmed by DSM-5 criteria. Participants must be willing and able to consent to the study. It's not suitable for those with unstable behavior, visual or auditory disabilities that affect AR goggle use, seizure history, under court care, on certain medications like antidepressants or mood stabilizers, or with serious medical conditions.

Inclusion Criteria

Willing and able to consent for involvement in the study

Exclusion Criteria

Wards of the court
I have a serious health or brain condition.
I am currently taking antidepressants, mood stabilizers, or benzodiazepines.
See 5 more

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants undergo 1-4 sessions of augmented reality exposure therapy, each lasting up to 90 minutes, to reduce anxiety regarding the feared object

4-8 weeks
1-4 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, including a Behavioral Approach Test and Dog Phobia Questionnaire

4 weeks
1 visit (in-person)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

  • Augmented reality exposure therapy
Trial Overview The trial tests an augmented reality exposure therapy method for dog phobia using patented software and AR devices in a clinical setting. The patient undergoes guided exposure to virtual dogs in various forms while wearing AR goggles to reduce their fear response.
How Is the Trial Designed?
2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Group I: InterventionExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Group II: Non-interventionActive Control1 Intervention

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Wayne State University

Lead Sponsor

Trials
318
Recruited
111,000+

Citations

In Vivo versus Augmented Reality Exposure in the Treatment of Small Animal Phobia: A Randomized Controlled Trial. [2023]
Effectiveness of a smartphone-based, augmented reality exposure app to reduce fear of spiders in real-life: A randomized controlled trial. [2021]
Treating cockroach phobia with augmented reality. [2015]
Effectiveness of a projection-based augmented reality exposure system in treating cockroach phobia: study protocol of a randomised controlled trial. [2023]
Virtual Reality One-Session Treatment of Child-Specific Phobia of Dogs: A Controlled, Multiple Baseline Case Series. [2021]
Improving the efficacy of exposure therapy using projection-based augmented reality for the treatment of cockroach phobia: a randomised clinical trial protocol. [2023]
Mixing realities? An application of augmented reality for the treatment of cockroach phobia. [2005]
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