Virtual Reality-based Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Therapy for Specific Phobias

Change in Subjective Units of Distress (SUDs)

The Subjective Units of Distress Scale (SUDs) is a self-reported measure of distress experienced by participants during each virtual reality (VR) EMDR session. Participants will rate their level of distress on a scale from 0 (no distress) to 10 (highest distress). Outcome is measured by the change in SUD score throughout each session and cumulative change from Day 1 to Day 5.

Time frame: Recorded 4 times during each VR EMDR session (first being baseline, and the subsequent three were recorded after each eye movement set in desensitisation phrase) across the 5 consecutive intervention days.

Change in Validity of Cognitions (VoC)

The Validity of Cognition (VoC) scale measures the strength of positive cognitions related to the phobic trigger. Participants will rate how true their preferred positive cognition feels on a scale from 1 (completely false) to 7 (completely true) during each VR EMDR session. Outcome is measured by change in VoC score throughout each session and cumulative change from Day 1 to Day 5.

Time frame: Recorded 4 times during each VR EMDR session (first being baseline, and the subsequent three were recorded after each eye movement set in installation phrase) across the 5 consecutive intervention days.

Change in IAPT Phobia Scale Score

The Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) Phobia Scale assesses the severity of phobic symptoms in terms of avoidance behaviour. Participants will complete the scale before the intervention (baseline) and immediately after the final session (Day 5). Outcome is measured by the change in IAPT Phobia Scale score from baseline to Day 5 post-intervention. Participants achieved remission if they scored below the threshold of 4 in the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies Phobia (IAPT) phobia scale.

Time frame: Baseline (Day 0, pre-intervention) and post-intervention (Day 5).

The Severity Measure for Specific Phobia-Adult

The Severity Measure for Specific Phobia-Adult is a 10-item measure that assesses the severity of specific phobia in individuals age 18 and older. The measure was designed to be completed by an individual upon receiving a diagnosis of specific phobia (or clinically significant specific phobia symptoms) and thereafter, prior to follow-up visits with the clinician. Each item asks the individual to rate the severity of his or her specific phobia during the past 7 days.

Time frame: Baseline (Day 0, pre-intervention) and post-intervention (Day 5).