VR therapy takes on phobias: a new way to face fears?
NCT ID NCT06302868
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested whether using a virtual reality clinic (Doxy.me VR) is as good as standard online therapy for treating intense fear of dogs, snakes, or spiders. Fifty-four adults participated, and researchers measured how much their phobia symptoms improved. The goal was to see if VR-based therapy is a practical and effective option for reducing fear.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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54 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Oct 2023
- Finished
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Jul 2024
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: In order to be eligible to participate in this study, an individual must meet all of the following criteria: 1. Is an adult ≥ 18 years old 2. Has a self-reported fear of dogs, snakes, and/or spiders 3. Indicates Subthreshold or Present Specific Phobia symptoms as determined by the study therapist via administration of the Diagnostic Assessment Research Tool (DART) Specific Phobia Module 4. Has access to the internet AND a computer OR smartphone with video conferencing capabilities 5. Will reside in the state of Florida for the duration of the study Exclusion Criteria: An individual who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this study: 1. Is participating in ongoing mental health therapy from a non-study therapist 2. Has had changes to psychotropic medication use within six weeks preceding enrollment in the trial 3. Reports active suicidal and/or homicidal intent or plan as determined by the study therapist via administration of the Diagnostic Assessment Research Tool (DART) Risk Assessment Module 4. Reports active auditory, visual, and/or tactile hallucinations via the Diagnostic Assessment Research Tool (DART) Psychosis Module screening question 5. Reports having a diagnosis of photosensitive epilepsy by a medical doctor or a history of experiencing seizures that they believe were caused by photosensitivity
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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University of South Florida
Tampa, Florida, 33613, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.