Using 360-degree videos for virtual reality exposure in CBT for panic disorder with agoraphobia: A feasibility studyShow others and affiliations
2022 (English)In: Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy, ISSN 1352-4658, E-ISSN 1469-1833, Vol. 50, no 2, p. 158-170Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]
Background: Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment for panic disorder with agoraphobia (PDA). However, implementation of some of the procedures involved, particularly in vivo exposure, can be time consuming and taxing for routine health care services. CBT with exposure taking place in virtual reality (VR-CBT) is a more time-efficient option and has shown promising results in the treatment of PDA. However, VR-CBT requires expensive equipment and appropriate virtual environments, which historically has been costly and cumbersome to produce. Thus, access to VR-CBT has been sparse in regular care environments. Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate whether VR-CBT using filmed virtual environments produced with a low-cost 360-degree film camera can be a feasible and acceptable treatment for PDA when implemented in a primary care context. Method: This was an open feasibility trial with a within-group design, with assessments conducted at pre-test, post-test, and 6-month follow-up. Participants (n = 12) received a 10-12 week treatment programme of VR-CBT and PDA-related symptoms were assessed by the primary outcome measure The Mobility Inventory for Agoraphobia (MIA) and the Panic-Disorder Severity Scale-Self Rated (PDSS-SR). Results: The results showed that treatment satisfaction was high and participants were significantly improved on PDA-related measures at post-treatment and at 6-month follow-up with large effect sizes (Cohen's d range = 1.46-2.82). All 12 participants completed the treatment. Conclusions: These findings suggest that VR-CBT with 360-degree video virtual environments delivered to primary care patients with PDA is feasible, acceptable, and potentially efficacious.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Cambridge University Press (CUP) , 2022. Vol. 50, no 2, p. 158-170
Keywords [en]
agoraphobia, anxiety disorders, cognitive behaviour therapy, panic disorder, primary care, virtual reality, cognitive behavioral therapy, feasibility study, human, panic, Feasibility Studies, Humans
National Category
Geriatrics Gynaecology, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine Information Systems, Social aspects
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-313198DOI: 10.1017/S1352465821000473ISI: 000744316900001PubMedID: 34789348Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-85120035552OAI: oai:DiVA.org:kth-313198DiVA, id: diva2:1665793
Note
QC 20220608
2022-06-082022-06-082025-02-11Bibliographically approved