Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for Reducing School Anxiety in Adolescents: Pilot Study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) is a promising treatment approach for anxiety disorders. However, while its efficacy has been demonstrated in adults, research on the efficacy of VRET in the treatment of adolescents with anxiety disorders is largely lacking.

Objective

A pilot study was carried out to test whether exposure to a virtual reality (VR) school environment elicits state anxiety and autonomic arousal in adolescents with school anxiety (diagnoses covering social anxiety disorder or specific phobia involving school contexts). In addition, we examined whether repeated VR exposure led to a reduction in this fear response, trait school anxiety, and social anxiety symptoms. Moreover, the relationship of presence, the subjective sense of "being there," du

SUBMITTER: Beele G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11576610 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature