The trial studied phobia patients using a headset and a smartphone app treatment programme which combined VR 360-degree video exposure therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).
Participants suffering from the specific fears flying, needles, heights, spiders and dogs, downloaded a fully self-guided smartphone app called 'oVRcome', which was paired with a headset to immerse participants in virtual environments to help treat their phobia.
The results from the trial, just published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, showed a 75 per cent reduction in phobia symptoms after six weeks of the treatment programme.
“The improvements they reported suggests there’s great potential for the use of VR and mobile phone apps as a means of self-guided treatment for people struggling with often-crippling phobias,” associate professor Cameron Lacey said.
“Participants demonstrated a strong acceptability of the app, highlighting its potential...