Exposure-based cognitive behavior therapy is an efficacious treatment for acrophobia (fear of heights) and has been delivered effectively in a virtual reality (VR) environment. The present study is designed to evaluate the effects of liked, non-lyrical background music on the efficacy of a brief VR exposure intervention.
The goal of this clinical trial is to compare acrophobia (fear of heights) outcomes for VR exposure therapy in college students with elevated acrophobia when listening to music during exposure versus no music. The overarching aim of the current study is to determine how liked, non-lyrical background music will influence acrophobia outcomes after a brief exposure therapy session in VR. The study involves three phases: (1) initial screening, (2) in-person assessment and a brief exposure intervention for a subset of participants with elevated acrophobia, and (3) a one-week follow-up assessment conducted online. Students who choose to participate and screen high on an acrophobia scale will be assigned to an experimental or control condition prior to undergoing VR based exposure therapy. Acrophobia outcomes are measured immediately post-intervention and one week later. Researchers will compare participants in the music condition to participants in the non-music condition to see if acrophobia outcomes differ.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
44
VR exposure for acrophobia with background music.
VR exposure for acrophobia with no background music.
Boston University
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
RECRUITINGAcrophobia (Fear of Heights)
Assessed using the Acrophobia Questionnaire (AQ) Anxiety Subscale
Time frame: Comparison of pre-exposure scores to scores from the follow-up survey one week after exposure
Valance
Self-report measure of how participant feels about experiencing high-height environments.
Time frame: Comparison of pre-exposure scores to scores from the follow-up survey one week after exposure
Height-Relevant Interpretations
Assessed using the Heights Interpretation Questionnaire (HIQ)
Time frame: Comparison of pre-exposure scores to scores from the follow-up survey one week after exposure
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.