This study randomly assigned 114 participants with significant fear of heights to one of three conditions: a) a single session of virtual reality exposure; b) a single session of in vivo exposure; or c) a control condition. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of virtual reality exposure to the efficacy of in vivo exposure or no exposure for participants with significant fear of heights.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
114
Participant completes a single session of exposure therapy for fear of heights by looking over railings into an atrium at various floor levels in a virtual environment.
Participant completes a single session of exposure therapy for fear of heights by looking over railings into an atrium at various floor levels in a real environment.
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, Indiana, United States
Acrophobia Questionnaire (AQ)
Participants completed the anxiety subscale of the AQ, a 20-item questionnaire that assesses self-reported anxiety related to acrophobia. Scores for the subscale are summed, and totals range from 0 to 120, with higher scores indicating greater anxiety.
Time frame: Immediately Post-Treatment (Controlling for Baseline Scores)
Behavioral Approach Task (BAT)
Participants walked up a staircase until they reach the highest level they can complete, while stopping to look over the ledge toward the floor at each landing. During each BAT, fear response was assessed behaviorally (highest step reached) and subjectively (self reported levels of fear).
Time frame: Immediately Post-Treatment (Controlling for Baseline Scores)
Heights Interpretation Questionnaire (HIQ)
Participants completed the HIQ, a 16-item questionnaire that assesses self-reported interpretations of an imagined experience of heights. Items are summed scored, and totals ranged from 16 to 80, with higher scores indicating greater height fear-relevant interpretation bias.
Time frame: Immediately Post-Treatment (Controlling for Baseline Scores)
Acrophobia Questionnaire (AQ)
Participants completed the anxiety subscale of the AQ, a 20-item questionnaire that assesses self-reported anxiety related to acrophobia. Scores for the subscale are summed, and totals range from 0 to 120, with higher scores indicating greater anxiety.
Time frame: 1-Week Post-Treatment (Controlling for Immediate Post-Treatment Scores)
Behavioral Approach Task (BAT)
Participants walked up a staircase until they reach the highest level they can complete, while stopping to look over the ledge toward the floor at each landing. During each BAT, fear response was assessed behaviorally (highest step reached) and subjectively (self reported levels of fear).
Time frame: 1-Week Post-Treatment (Controlling for Immediate Post-Treatment Scores)
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Heights Interpretation Questionnaire (HIQ)
Participants completed the HIQ, a 16-item questionnaire that assesses self-reported interpretations of an imagined experience of heights. Items are summed scored, and totals ranged from 16 to 80, with higher scores indicating greater height fear-relevant interpretation bias.
Time frame: 1-Week Post-Treatment (Controlling for Immediate Post-Treatment Scores)