title: Virtual reality exposure using three-dimensional images for the treatment of social phobia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To test a potential treatment for social phobia, which provides exposure to phobia-inducing situations via computer-generated, three-dimensional images, using an open clinical trial design.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-one patients with a DSM-IV diagnosis of social phobia took part in the trial. Treatment consisted of up to 12 sessions of exposure to relevant images, each session lasting 50 minutes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Improvements in social anxiety were seen in all scales and instruments used, including at follow-up 6 months after the end of treatment. The average number of sessions was seven, as the participants habituated rapidly to the process. Only one participant dropped out.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provides evidence that exposure to computer-generated three-dimensional images is relatively inexpensive, leads to greater treatment adherence, and can reduce social anxiety. Further studies are needed to corroborate these findings.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Psiquiatria, Programa Ansiedade (AMBAN), Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Cristiane M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Gebara
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Psiquiatria, Programa Ansiedade (AMBAN), Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Tito P de
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Barros-Neto
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Psiquiatria, Programa Ansiedade (AMBAN), Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Leticia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gertsenchtein
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Psiquiatria, Programa Ansiedade (AMBAN), Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lotufo-Neto
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000295:instrumentation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000072861:Phobia, Social / Q000628:therapy*; D013732:Test Anxiety Scale; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation; D063367:Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult