Methods
This study implemented a basic randomized between-subject design comparing real-life and animated content using virtual reality (VR) to treat anxiety disorders like acrophobia. Within the study, participants had nine levels of exposure in four sessions. Visual Height Intolerance Severity Scale was used to measure the severity of fear of heights; state-trait Anxiety Inventory, Beck's anxiety inventory was used to measure psychological and physical aspects of anxiety.
Design
The study used a randomized controlled trial design, with participants randomly assigned to one of two conditions: real-world content VR exposure therapy or animated content VR exposure therapy. Participants in both conditions will receive four 30 minute VR exposure therapy sessions over a period of four weeks.
Materials Used
Screening Questionnaire
Screening questions were used to identify eligible participants based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. To participate in the study, participants had to be above the age of 18, consenting of their own free will, not currently incarcerated, and willing to the best of their abilities to complete the study, not diagnosed with anxiety disorders, not receiving any treatment or medication for physical or mental health conditions. If any or all criteria above are not met, the participant cannot participate.
Psychoeducation Script
Psychoeducation Script is used to debrief participants about the research and the therapeutic strategy. This script includes information about Anxiety and Acrophobia, the research background, rationale, and positive outcomes. The script could also incorporate activities and homework assignments to assist participants in better comprehending and managing their symptoms. Psychoeducational scripts are a crucial tool in therapy for educating clients, boosting treatment adherence, and eventually improving clients' overall quality of life.
Demographic Questionnaire
A demographics questionnaire assessed participant attributes, such as age, gender, and ethnicity. A demographics questionnaire allows researchers to gain more information about the participants and insight into the data.
Visual Height Intolerance Severity Scale (vHISS).
This study utilized the Visual Height Intolerance Severity Scale (vHISS) to measure the severity of fear of heights or acrophobia. Research by Kluger and Gianutsos (2001) and Fornells-Ambrojo, Garety, and Kuipers (2011) has established its usefulness in understanding and treating acrophobia. Furthermore, using vHISS allowed us to assess treatment effectiveness and track changes in fear over time. This survey will be completed after the first and fourth sessions.
State-Trait Anxiety Inventory
A 20-item scale, the STAI - State Version, assesses current anxiety. A 4-point Likert scale with a range of 1 (not at all) to 4 is used to rate each item (very much so). The scale has demonstrated great validity and reliability (Spielberger, 1989). This survey will be completed after the first and fourth sessions.
Beck Anxiety Inventory
Anxiety symptoms are measured using the 21-item self-report Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). The participants rate the severity of each symptom throughout the previous week, up to and including the day the questionnaire is given (4-point Likert scale, ranging from 0 = hardly bearable to 3 = severely: "I could scarcely endure it"). The overall score is between 0 and 63. High internal consistency (0.90-0.94) and solid convergent validity are present. This survey will be completed after the first and fourth sessions.
List of Measurements
In our research project, we conducted a T-test analysis on the data that we collected. A T-test is a statistical test that is used to compare the means of two groups and determine whether they are significantly different from each other. By using this analysis, we were able to identify whether there were significant differences between the two groups that we were studying.
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The T-test analysis allowed us to determine whether any observed differences between the groups were due to chance or were statistically significant. This helped us to draw valid and reliable conclusions from the data that we collected. The T-test analysis also helped us to identify any potential confounding variables or factors that could have influenced our results.