oVRcome - Self Guided Virtual Reality for Specific Phobias. A Randomised Controlled Trial

Abstract

Virtual reality (VR) exposure therapy is an emerging treatment for specific phobias. Most VR studies have investigated high-end VR devices, typically only available in research and limited clinical settings for a single phobia. This study evaluated the effectiveness of oVRcome, an app-based self-guided VR exposure therapy, for 5 specific phobias.

This was a 2 arm 6-week randomized controlled trial, with a waitlist control group. Participants were required to live in New Zealand; be aged 18-64 years, have a fear of flying, heights, spiders, dogs, needles, score above 4 on the Brief Standard Self rating scale for phobic patients and have access to a smart phone and internet. oVRcome consists of 6 modules of psychoeducation, relaxation, mindfulness, cognitive techniques, exposure through VR, and relapse prevention over 6 weeks. The primary outcome was the change from baseline to week 6 on the Severity Measures for Specific Phobia – Adults (SMSP). All analyses were performed on intention to treat set.

A total of 126 participants were randomized, and 109 completed the follow-up at week 6, for a retention rate of 86.5%. The mean change in SMSP score from baseline to week 6 was greater in the active group compared with the waitlist group (active group −20.53 [SD=8.24];waitlist group: − 12.31 [SD=10.66]; p<0.001. The effect size for this difference was 0.86.

Self-guided use of the oVRcome app was effective at reducing severity of specific phobia symptoms in a sample of people with fear of flying, heights, spiders, dogs, or needles.

Note:
Funding: There was no funding for this study. The University of Otago and oVRcome have a letter of agreement regarding this research which states: The University will cover all costs associated with the Research and be responsible for ethics applications and consent process. 2. oVRcome agrees to provide free access to the app and headset to participants for the duration of the trial. This will be a 3 month premium subscription which allows unlimited access to the Virtual Reality content. A virtual reality headset will also be supplied, and sent to each recipient 3. There will be no restriction on publication of results, however the University will provide a copy of any proposed presentation to oVRcome prior to publication. 4. The University agrees to recognize the contribution of both oVRcome in any publication. 5. Neither party will use the other parties name without receiving prior approval from the other party.

Declaration of Interests: All authors reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.

Ethics Approval Statement: This trial was approved by the Southern Health and Disability Ethics Committee (21/STH/1). People who registered interest in the study were emailed with study information and directed to the study specific website to complete the consent statements.

Trial Registration: Study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov NCT04909177 and UTN: U1111-1261-819.

Keywords: Specifc Phobia, Virtual Reality, Mobile application