Data_Sheet_1_Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for Fear of Heights: Clinicians’ Attitudes Become More Positive After Trying VRET.docx

BackgroundVirtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) has the potential to solve logistic challenges when treating specific phobias. However, VRET has yet to see a large-scale implementation in clinical settings despite positive findings in treatment trials. This may partly be due to attitudes and lack of experience among clinicians, but also because of expensive and stationary VR solutions.
ObjectiveThis study tested whether modern, wireless, commercially available VR equipment with controller-free hand tracking could induce and reduce discomfort using scenarios designed for fear of heights. Also, the study tested if clinicians’ attitudes toward using VR in therapy changed after trying it themselves.
MethodAttitudes to using VR in therapy and discomfort ratings were assessed for 74 clinicians before and after completing two VR scenarios. In addition, 54 non-clinicians completed the same scenarios. Participants were not diagnosed with acrophobia.
ResultsThe VR scenarios induced discomfort comparable to participants’ reported fear of heights in real life. Repeated training reduced discomfort. Positive attitudes toward use of VR in therapy was predicted by previous experience with VR, as well as positive attitudes toward novel technology and exposure therapy. Clinicians’ attitudes became more favorable after trying VRET themselves. Clinicians reported a range of possible advantages and disadvantages of using VR in therapy.
ConclusionVRET for fear of heights was able to induce and reduce discomfort in clinicians and non-clinicians, and clinicians’ attitudes toward using VRET become more positive after trying VRET for themselves. The latest generation of VR solutions has potential to improve clinical availability and treatment options. Future research should explore how VRET can be implemented in clinical settings.

背景
虚拟现实暴露疗法（Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy，VRET）在治疗特定恐惧症方面，具备解决临床实施后勤难题的潜力。尽管相关治疗试验已取得积极成果，但VRET目前仍未在临床场景中实现大规模应用。这一方面可能源于临床医师的态度与经验匮乏，另一方面则归因于成本高昂且设备固定不便的VR解决方案。
目的
本研究旨在验证：搭载无控制器手部追踪功能的现代化商用无线VR设备，能否通过针对恐高症设计的虚拟场景，诱发并缓解受试者的不适感。同时，本研究还探究了临床医师在亲身体验VRET后，其对VR用于临床治疗的态度是否会发生改变。
方法
共有74名临床医师在完成两段VR场景体验前后，分别接受了VR治疗态度评估与不适感评分。另有54名非临床人员完成了相同的VR场景体验。所有受试者均未被诊断为恐高症患者。
结果
VR场景诱发的不适感程度，与受试者自述的现实生活中恐高程度相当。重复体验VR场景可有效降低受试者的不适感。临床医师对VR用于治疗的积极态度，可通过其既往VR使用经验、对新兴技术的积极态度以及对暴露疗法的认可程度进行预判。临床医师在亲身体验VRET后，其态度变得更为积极。此外，临床医师还总结了VR用于治疗的一系列潜在优势与不足。
结论
针对恐高症的VRET能够在临床医师与非临床人员中诱发并缓解不适感，且临床医师在亲身体验VRET后，对其用于治疗的态度变得更为积极。新一代VR解决方案具备提升临床可及性与拓展治疗选择空间的潜力。未来研究应探索如何将VRET落地应用于临床场景中。