Virtual reality exposure therapy in the treatment of fear of flying: a case report.
The efficacy of virtual reality (VR) exposure therapy was examined for the fear of flying. Virtual reality exposure involved six sessions of graded exposure to flying in a virtual airplane. The specific contribution of anxiety management techniques (AMT) and the VR exposure was examined in a single case design. The subject was a 42-year-old female with a debilitating fear and avoidance of flying. All self-report measures of the fear and avoidance of flying decreased following AMT and decreased still further following VR exposure. A planned post-treatment flight was completed with anxiety measures indicating comfortable flight. The implications of this new medium for exposure therapy are discussed.
Rothbaum
B O
BO
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Emory Clinic, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
Hodges
L
L
Watson
B A
BA
Kessler
C D
CD
Opdyke
D
D
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000401:Aircraft; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003887:Desensitization, Psychologic / Q000379:methods*; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome