oVRcome - Self Guided Virtual Reality for Specific Phobias. A Randomised Controlled Trial

Virtual reality (VR) exposure therapy is an emerging treatment for specific phobias. Most VR studies have investigated high-end VR devices, typically only available in research and limited clinical settings for a single phobia. This study evaluated the effectiveness of oVRcome, an app-based self-guided VR exposure therapy, for 5 specific phobias. This was a 2 arm 6-week randomized controlled trial, with a waitlist control group. Participants were required to live in New Zealand; be aged 18-64 years, have a fear of flying, heights, spiders, dogs, needles, score above 4 on the Brief Standard Self rating scale for phobic patients and have access to a smart phone and internet. oVRcome consists of 6 modules of psychoeducation, relaxation, mindfulness, cognitive techniques, exposure through VR, and relapse prevention over 6 weeks. The primary outcome was the change from baseline to week 6 on the Severity Measures for Specific Phobia – Adults (SMSP). All analyses were performed on intention to treat set. A total of 126 participants were randomized, and 109 completed the follow-up at week 6, for a retention rate of 86.5%. The mean change in SMSP score from baseline to week 6 was greater in the active group compared with the waitlist group (active group −20.53 [SD=8.24];waitlist group: − 12.31 [SD=10.66]; p<0.001. The effect size for this difference was 0.86. Self-guided use of the oVRcome app was effective at reducing severity of specific phobia symptoms in a sample of people with fear of flying, heights, spiders, dogs, or needles.