Treatment of social phobia using virtual reality
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN15547690 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN15547690 |
| Protocol serial number | N/A |
| Sponsor | Anxiety Program at the Institute of Psychiatry Faculty of Medicine University of São Paulo |
| Funders | Anxiety Program at the Institute of Psychiatry Faculty of Medicine University of São Paulo (Brazil). , Research Support Foundation (Brazil) |
- Submission date
- 16/06/2015
- Registration date
- 11/07/2015
- Last edited
- 26/06/2015
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Mental and Behavioural Disorders
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
Social phobia is a mental disorder with an early onset and chronic course , which has a significant negative effect on the lives of sufferers . Among the most common symptoms are palpitations, excessive sweating , trembling and blushing, in addition to avoidance of social situations and performance. One of the most commonly used treatments is the live exposure, involving confronting the fear of social occasions by placing the patients in those situations. Recently virtual reality, which uses 3D imagery, has emerged as an effective alternative treatment because it leads to a sense of strong immersion in the virtual environment , and is conducted so that the scenes can be seen a considerable number of times. . This study will compare these two treatments. It is expected that both work equally well at treating of social phobia .
Who can participate?
Adults suffering from social phobia who have enrolled in the Anxiety Program and the Psychotherapy Service of Department and Institute of Psychiatry, University of São Paulo.
What does the study involve?
Each patient is randomly placed into one of two groups. Those in group 1 receive virtual reality exposure therapy. Those in group 2 receive live exposure therapy. Patients of both groups will be submitted to 12 sessions once a week and 3 months evaluation follow up
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Benefits: Reduction of social anxiety.
Risks: The procedures applied offer minimum discomfort or risk to the patient’s health. Among them is the risk of feeling anxious during the sessions of exposure to social situations. However this risk is small since, in both groups, exposure is performed slowly . Moreover, this anxiety is necessary for improvement.
Where is the study run from?
Department and Institute of Psychiatry, University of São Paulo (Brazil)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
July 2014 to May 2016
Who is funding the study?
The Anxiety Program at the Department and Institute of Psychiatry, University of São Paulo (Brazil) and FAPESP, a research support foundation.
Who is the main contact?
Tito Paes de Barros Neto
tito.barrosneto@gmail.com
Contact information
Scientific
Dr. Ovídio Pires de Campos, 785
São Paulo
05403-903
Brazil
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Secondary study design | Randomised parallel trial |
| Study type | Participant information sheet |
| Scientific title | Virtual reality exposure in social phobia patients: a controlled clinical trial |
| Study objectives | Main hypothesis: Virtual reality exposure to treat social phobia program (RVFS PROGRAM) is as effective as live exposure in the treatment of social phobia. Secondary hypothesis: Participants RVFS PROGRAM will present at the end of treatment: 1. Greater adherence to treatment; 2. Exposure time for the occurrence of lower habituation ; 3. Shorter duration of therapy; 4. Greater improvement in depressive symptoms and social adjustment ; 5. Satisfaction with treatment is greater; 6. Bond with the therapist is better; 7. The lower disability ; 8. More exhibitions. Here it is important to point out that the scenes of RVFS PROGRAM can be viewed and reviewed by the patients a lot of times , thereby increasing the effectiveness of exposure by repeating the scenes. |
| Ethics approval(s) | Coordinating body of research ethics (ECA) Department and Institute of Psychiatry, University of São Paulo, 11/03/2015, ref: 981.031 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Social phobia (SP) |
| Intervention | 82 patients with social phobia diagnosis will be randomly distributed into two treatment groups: virtual exhibition or live exposure. Therapists with expertise in cognitive behavioral therapy will be responsible for treating these patients . Each group has a protocol to be followed by the therapists. There will be 12 sessions of therapy for each patient. |
| Intervention type | |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
Efficacy will be assessed by: |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
Secondary measures: |
| Completion date | 16/05/2016 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Patient |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Lower age limit | 18 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 82 |
| Key inclusion criteria | Patients: 1. Treated at the Psychotherapy Service and Anxiety Program (AMBAN) 2. Aged 18 - 65 3. Can read and write 4. Diagnosised with FS , according to the DSM -5 |
| Key exclusion criteria | Patients: 1. With severe major depression 2. At risk for suicide, substance abuse or dependence psychotic disorders 3. Who are in psychotherapy |
| Date of first enrolment | 03/08/2015 |
| Date of final enrolment | 03/02/2016 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- Brazil
Study participating centre
785 São Paulo
05403-903
Brazil
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Not provided at time of registration |
| IPD sharing plan |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
