Exploring the Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy in Treating Anxiety

Novel technologies are only making therapy more considerate and advanced. Humans have come far from conventional exposure methods by introducing virtual reality (VR) in therapy. Discover if it is effective and how virtual reality exposure therapy could change the game for those enduring anxiety in its many forms.

What Is Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET)?

VRET is the practice of using VR equipment, like headsets and virtual landscapes, to treat anxiety. It is an experimental method with prospects of helping patients overcome post-traumatic stress and phobias. 

During a session, the patient wears a headset while the therapist guides them through the setting. They face stimuli in a low-stakes environment where they can remove themselves if triggered.

The goal is to increase the individual’s comfort levels by gradually immersing them in the events or stimuli that cause anxiety. VR interactivity is a desirable alternative to conventional exposure therapy, which may be too overwhelming for many. Ideally, VR interactivity can build the individual’s resilience enough to face anxiety-inducing circumstances in reality.

How Could VR in Therapy Be Better for Patients?

Some people may feel resistance to traditional therapy — the idea of exposing yourself to your fears or anxieties in the real world is a vulnerable experience. Using VR makes the interaction feel gamified, potentially easing concerns and resistance about starting treatments in the first place. 

It could make people more willing to face their fears because they can separate the idea of their physical self from the virtual realm, reducing stress responses. While patients could still have anxious responses, panic attacks or other side effects during VRET, there is a comfort in knowing the patient does not have to face the trigger directly. 

VR also has the benefit of being entirely customizable. While exposure therapy could show spiders to someone with arachnophobia, some triggers are impossible to recreate. A patient could work with a therapist to design the scenarios necessary to overcome anxieties and fears.

Self-guided options are also available, giving people greater agency over their treatment — if deemed a safe environment. This makes real-time health support more democratized, with the potential of reducing anxiety symptoms.

How Is VRET Being Used, and Is It Effective?

Are there any legitimate case studies and examples showing whether VRET could be the exposure therapy method of the future?

Public Speaking

One study analyzed multiple uses of VR in an attempt to treat a phobia of public speaking related to social anxiety disorder. The researchers noted how VRET has low dropout rates and provides a feeling of presence against stimuli similar to traditional exposure therapy. 

Each study in the synthesis either had significant decreases in public speaking anxiety or none at all. This varied based on the length and frequency of sessions. Some results even included performance increases, and benefits were sustained months after treatment.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

The study reviewed attempts at using VR and augmented reality (AR) to treat PTSD. There was a severe lack of AR-based studies at the time of analysis. VRET was effective as a psychotherapy method, but experts noted how similar they were. More variety is necessary to make the field more comprehensive, but it was effective for patients who were not responsive to other types of exposure therapy treatments.

Children in School

Most studies regarding VRET focus on adults with various anxiety disorders. There are a few dedicated to adolescents. One pilot study used VRET on students to relieve school-related anxieties. Ten students between 14 and 17 with self-reported anxiety metrics participated. The results demonstrated that the virtual spaces were effective at simulating anxious arousal while decreasing anxiety related to educational stressors.

Specific Phobias

Meta-analyses have been performed to see if VRET was effective for specific phobias, including social anxiety and agoraphobia, compared to in vivo methods. The results suggest it could be as effective as them, but it may work better with conventional cognitive behavioral therapy. The experts also suggest advancements in VR technology could correlate with more significant benefits for patients.

FAQs About VR in Therapy

Here are a few other queries about VRET and its value.

How Much Does VRET Cost?

VRET is still relatively new in the medical field, so it is hit or miss if your insurance will cover it. This means pricing is relegated to private companies providing the service, forcing patients to pay out of pocket. It also implies that the cost can vary widely per session. Some businesses charge $250 per hour, while others can cost more. Alternatively, there are some apps out there that cost very little.

What Is the Success Rate of VRET?

The field needs more research, as studies have only gleaned results from specific circumstances. Anxiety manifests in so many ways, and the ways psychologists and therapists solve these ailments range almost as widely. 

However, a study from 2022 discovered VRET had between a 66%-90% success rate when deployed with patients undergoing cognitive behavioral therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder.

What Are the Disadvantages of Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy?

You’ve seen many potential benefits of using VR in therapy, but are there downsides? More research is necessary to confirm the likelihood of these adverse side effects, but psychologists can make several guesses. 

Depersonalization and derealization are notable ones. Existing in virtual landscapes for too long can affect the psyche, making you feel like reality isn’t as real anymore. Since these are side effects of anxiety already, it is counterintuitive to enhance their persistence with VRET.

Those with anxiety may also have side effects if they are not used to being in VR. Many experience motion sickness or headaches when they experience it for too long. This could amplify their worries about treatment, unless the therapist conveys how to mitigate these responses or clarifies risks before immersion.

There is also little legal regulation regarding who can administer VRET, so research and talk to a licensed medical provider to see if this experimental treatment could work for you. This also includes oversight concerning data privacy and quality control.

Leaving Anxiety Behind With Virtual Solutions

Exposure therapy in VR sounds like a gimmick. Even though it is still in its infancy, it is a field worth exploring in greater depth. It could soothe the minds of many with anxiety, helping them confront their fears in the safest way possible.