Testing Mechanisms of Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for Social Anxiety

Conditions

• Fully Customized Interactions VRET
• Scripted Interactions VRET
• no Interaction VRET

Eligibility Criteria

Sex

ALL

Age

18 Years - N/A

Healthy Volunteers

Not accepted

Interventions

• ExpandXR — BEHAVIORAL
  An Mixed Reality Exposure Therapy platform for the Apple Vision Pro

Study Details

The purpose of this study is to test mechanisms and processes of virtual reality and augmented reality exposure therapy for social anxiety. There is substantial evidence that virtual reality exposure therapy is an effective treatment for social anxiety. However, it can be difficult to access treatment that needs to be conducted in person. Tests of self-guided (without therapist assistance) virtual reality exposure therapy have had mixed efficacy and tests of augmentation offer an important method to optimize brief interventions. The study objectives are to test a wide range of possible mechanisms and approaches (ranging from single sessions in person to remotely conducted virtual reality exposure therapy) in order to advance the field. The broadness of the proposed research is to provide multiple avenues for inquiry per discussion with IRB chair Dr. Kuo. Depending on the specific line of inquiry some variations will be documented (e.g., multiple consent forms for answering different sub questions of the primary questions listed below).

Key Dates

Start date

Feb 24, 2026

Status verified

Mar 2026

Primary completion

Feb 1, 2028

Completion

Mar 1, 2028

Study Design

Enrollment

45 participants (estimated)

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

PARALLEL

Primary purpose

TREATMENT

Arms

• Active Comparator: no interaction Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy
• Experimental: structured interaction Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy
• Experimental: personalized interaction Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy

Primary Outcome Measure

Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale Self Report Version [ Time Frame: Baseline ]

Locations (1)

Find similar trials in Palo Alto, CA