title: The combined use of virtual reality exposure in the treatment of agoraphobia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study compares the differential efficacy of three groups of treatments for agoraphobia: paroxetine combined with cognitive-behavioral therapy, paroxetine combined with cognitive-behavioral therapy and virtual reality exposure, and a group with only paroxetine.
  
  
  METHODS
  99 patients with agoraphobia were finally selected. Both combined treatment groups received 11 sessions of cognitive-behavioral therapy, and one of the groups was also exposed to 4 sessions of virtual reality treatment. Treatments were applied in individual sessions once a week for 3 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The three treatment groups showed statistically significant improvements. In some measures, combined treatment groups showed greater improvements. The virtual reality exposure group showed greater improvement confronting phobic stimuli.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Treatments combining psychopharmacological and psychological therapy showed greater efficacy. Although the use of new technologies led to greater improvement, treatment adherence problems still remain.
authors.affiliation: Public Health General Management. Canary Islands Health Service. Government of the Canary Islands, Spain.
authors.forename: Carmen T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Pitti
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinic Psychology, Biological Psychology and Methodology. Health Science Department (Pychology)and Methodology. Health Science Department (Pychology). University of La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain.
authors.forename: Wenceslao
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Peñate
authors.affiliation: Public Health General Management. Canary Islands Health Service. Government of the Canary Islands, Spain University Hospital of Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria. Canary Islands Health Service. Government of the Canary Islands. Spain.
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: de la Fuente
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinic Psychology, Biological Psychology and Methodology. Health Science Department (Pychology). University of La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain.
authors.forename: Juan M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Bethencourt
authors.affiliation: University of Granada. Granada, Spain.
authors.forename: María J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Roca-Sánchez
authors.affiliation: Department of Systems Engineering and Automatic and Computers Technologies. High School of Egineering and Technology. University of La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain.
authors.forename: Leopoldo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Acosta
authors.affiliation: University School of Nursing and Physiotherapy. University of La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain.
authors.forename: María L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Villaverde
authors.affiliation: University Hospital of the Canary Islands. Canary Islands Health Service. Government of the Canary Islands. Spain Department of Internal Medicine, Dermatology and Psychiatry. University of La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain.
authors.forename: Ramón
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gracia
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000379:Agoraphobia / Q000628:therapy*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017374:Paroxetine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D063367:Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy
chemical_list: D017374:Paroxetine; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors