Use of tethered virtual reality headsets in exposure therapy for agoraphobia and social phobia

• Main Authors: Choo, Beatris Mariell, Talicol, Ana Margarita, Panganiban, Elaine Jhon, Ong, Ethel Chua Joy
• Format: text
• Published: Animo Repository 2017
• Subjects: Virtual reality—Health aspects; Agoraphobia; Social phobia; Electrical and Computer Engineering; Engineering; Mental and Social Health
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/faculty_research/3315
• Institution: De La Salle University

People with social phobia are characterized by a fear of being scrutinized, while people with agoraphobia have a fear of situations where escape may be difficult such as being in a crowded area. One way to support them is with the use of virtual reality technologies. Virtual reality (VR) allows people to easily step into and immerse themselves in a completely different environment, simulated by a computer. The ability that VR has to transport a person into a different place and interact with the virtual environment gives it potential as a tool for phobia treatment. In this paper, we explore the use of VR as a platform for people with agoraphobia and social phobia to practice social interactions towards the goal of overcoming their fear.