Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy in Agoraphobic Participants

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Agoraphobia; Panic Disorder
• Interventions: Behavioral: Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for agoraphobic participants; Behavioral: Standard exposure in vivo for agoraphobic participants

• Registration Number: NCT00734370
• Lead Sponsor: VU University of Amsterdam

Brief Summary

Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) is an effective treatment for anxiety disorders, particularly for specific phobias as fear of heights and fear of flying (e.g. Powers \& Emmelkamp, 2008). Recent technological advances (e.g. more realistic avatars) make research into the efficacy of VRET for participants with elevated agoraphobic symptoms desirable. Therefore, the aim of the present research proposal is to investigate the comparative efficacy of:

1. enhanced VRET making use of the latest avatar technology with

2. exposure in vivo in agoraphobic participants

3. wait-list control.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2008-08-11
• Study First Submitted QC: 2008-08-13
• Study First Posted: 2008-08-14
• Study Start: 2008-10
• Primary Completion: 2011-06
• Study Completion: 2012-01
• Status Verified: 2018-09
• Last Update Submitted: 2018-09-11
• Last Update Posted: 2018-09-13

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 55

Inclusion Criteria

• A full diagnosis of panic disorder with agoraphobia according to the DSM-IV
• Between the ages of 18-65 years
• Sufficient fluency in Dutch to complete treatment and research protocol

Exclusion Criteria

• Presence of medical condition, assessed by self-report questionnaires at the intake (i.e., pregnancy, seizure disorder, pacemaker)
• Current use of Beta-blockers
• Current use of tranquilizers (Benzodiazepines)
• Unstable psychotropic medication
• Substance dependence
• Psychosis
• Depression with suicidal ideation
• Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
• Dementia or other severe cognitive impairment
• Bipolar Disorder
• Borderline Personality Disorder
• Anti-social Personality Disorder

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: FACTORIAL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
VRET	Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for agoraphobic participants	Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for agoraphobic participants
Exposure in vivo	Standard exposure in vivo for agoraphobic participants	Standard exposure in vivo for panic disorder

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS); Mobility Inventory for Agoraphobia (MI); Behavioural Avoidance Test (BAT)	Assessed at pre- and post-treatment and 6-12 months follow-up

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI); Anxiety Sensitivity Inventory (ASI); Beck Depression Inventory (BDI); Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS); Agoraphobic Cognitions Questionnaire (ACQ); Bodily Sensations Questionnaire (BSQ); Panic Appraisal Inventory (PAI)	Process measures: are taken prior to treatment, after the fourth treatment session and at post-treatment. The PDSS and PAI will be administered every therapy session	Process measures are taken prior to treatment, after the fourth treatment session and at post-treatment. The same measures will also be taken at 6 months follow-up.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Amsterdam; 🇳🇱 Amsterdam, Netherlands