This study attempts to test wether a VR-supported trance induction and a subsequent exposure to altitude in VR with hypnotic suggestions via Audio reduces acrophobia more than a control-group intervention without trance induction. Furthermore the study attempts to test if three sessions of the interventions within three weeks can lead to a stronger reduction of acrophobia than only one session. Participants will be selected via an online survey according to their score on the Height Interpersonal Questionnaire (HIQ). At the start of the study, participants will be screened by professional clinicians for any mental disorders. In the laboratory they will undergo one of the two interventions in VR (experimental group / control group) and complete questionnaires for three times within three weeks. On a separate day within these three weeks they will be placed in a 30-minute trance to test their suggestibility.
Prior to the measurement, those interested in the study will complete a screening questionnaire on acrophobia (HIQ) online. Besides they will be asked if they ever had negative experiences with VR or hypnosis. Only persons who do not report negative experiences with VR or hypnosis and who attain a HIQ score bigger than 29 will be invited to take part in the study. At the first appointment in the laboratory a screening with SCID questions about disorders that would lead to exclusion is conducted. On the basis of this second screening participants will be admitted to the study. Failure to meet the criteria (see eligibility section) will exclude participants from the study. At the start of the assessment session, participants will complete a sociodemographic questionnaire and again the HIQ. Participants are randomly assigned to one of the two groups. Based on group affiliation they either undergo a VR-supported trance induction or the same VR-program without the trance induction. Then there is an automatic transition to the altitude confrontation. Both groups receive the same VR altitude confrontation, the only difference is that in the experimental group a tree is presented near the participant whereas in the control group a parasol is presented at the same position. Thus the sentences that refer to the tree are changed in the audio of the control group. The height is increased to a maximum of 60 metres. Participants can stop the experiment at any time by pressing a button on a handheld joystick. During the confrontation, various events (e.g. rising balloons) generate additional altitude cues. The duration of the confrontation is approximately 15 minutes. Subsequently participants complete questionnaires about their fear of heights (HIQ) for a post-measurement of altitude anxiety and about their experience of presence (IPQ) and their experience of hypnotic depth (SSTT). Participants will undergo these questionnaires and the intervention three times within three weeks. On a separate day within these three weeks they will be placed in a 30-minute trance and given the Harvard Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility (HGSHS) to test their suggestibility. The total time required for the participants ist therefore approximately three hours and 15 minutes.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
101
Participants experience a VR dive through a friendly underwater world. They get a trance induction via audio.
Participants experience a VR dive through a friendly underwater world. They are informed that this part of the VR is a familiarization phase to the VR and they do not get a trance induction.
The participants go through a height exposure. They start at the ground level of a virtual city and move upwards in 3 meter steps until they reach a height of 60 meters. Participants focus on a yellow spot on a balcony in front of them, so that they can recognise the depth perimeter.
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Tuebingen
Tübingen, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany
Height intervention questionnaire (immediately before the intervention)
Measurement of acrophobia
Time frame: Immediately (circa 1 minute) before the height exposure in all three sessions
Height intervention questionnaire (immediately after the intervention)
Measurement of acrophobia
Time frame: Immediately (circa 1 minute) after the height exposure in all three sessions
Height intervention questionnaire (one-week-follow-up)
Measurement of acrophobia
Time frame: One week after the third height exposure
Height intervention questionnaire (three-months-follow-up)
Measurement of acrophobia
Time frame: Three months after the third height exposure
Subjective fear rating during height exposure
Measurement of Fear on Likert scale (0 to 9)
Time frame: always 5 seconds after each rise in the height exposure in all three sessions
Harvard Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility (german brief form HGHSH-5)
Measurement of Suggestibility (minimum value = 0, maximum value = 5, higher scores imply higher suggestibility)
Time frame: at a separate day within the three weeks, where the interventions take place
Subjective Scale for Trance Depth
Measurement of Trance Depth (minimum value = 38, maximum value = 152, higher scores imply higher subjective trance depth)
Time frame: (circa 5 minutes) after the height exposure in all three sessions
Igroup Presence Questionaire
Subjective Presence in the VR-experience (minimum value = -42, maximum value = +42, higher scores imply higher subjective presence)
Time frame: (circa 3 minutes) after the height exposure in all three sessions
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.