Exercise and Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for Acrophobia

University of Texas at Austin60 enrolled

Overview

The purpose of this study is to determine whether aerobic exercise can enhance the effects of exposure therapy treatment for fear of heights.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Fear of Heights

Interventions

ExerciseBEHAVIORAL

30 minutes of aerobic exercise on a treadmill at 80% of participant's heart rate reserve.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 25 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18 to 25 * Speaks English fluently * Score of 80 or higher on the Acrophobia Questionnaire * SUDS rating of 50 or higher on the Behavioral Avoidance Test or complete refusal to comply with instructions due to intensity of fear * Passes the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire-Plus Exclusion Criteria: * Hearing or visually impaired * Currently receiving exposure-based treatment for acrophobia * Able to remain on floor 20 for 30 seconds during BAT with a SUDS rating \< 50

Locations (1)

University of Texas at Austin

Austin, Texas, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Fear scores

Change in fear scores using subjective units of distress will be assessed.

Time frame: 7 (+/- 3) days after exposure therapy

Perceived threat likelihood scores

Change in the perception of threat likelihood on a scale from 1-5 will be assessed.

Time frame: 7 (+/- 3) days after exposure therapy

Secondary Outcomes

Skin conductance fluctuations

Changes in skin conductance fluctuations will be assessed.

Time frame: 7 (+/- 3) days after exposure therapy

Heart rate fluctuations

Heart rate fluctuations will be assessed.

Time frame: 7 (+/- 3) days after exposure therapy

Acrophobia Severity

Change in score on the Acrophobia Questionnaire

Time frame: 14 (+/- 3) days after exposure therapy

Attitudes Toward Heights

Change in score on the Attitudes Toward Heights Inventory

Time frame: 14 (+/- 3) days after exposure therapy

Clinical Global Improvement

Change in score on the Clinical Global Improvement Scale

Time frame: 14 (+/- 3) days after exposure therapy

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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