In:
PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science (PLoS), Vol. 17, No. 7 ( 2022-7-13), p. e0271175-
Abstract:
Fear of spiders, or Arachnophobia, is one of the most common specific phobias. The gold standard treatment, in vivo exposure therapy, is effective, but comes with significant limitations, including restricted availability, high costs, and high refusal rates. Novel technologies, such as augmented reality, may help to overcome these limitations and make Exposure Therapy more accessible by using mobile devices. Objective This study will use a Randomized Controlled Trial design to investigate whether ZeroPhobia: Arachnophobia, a 6-week Augmented Reality Exposure Therapy smartphone self-help application, can effectively reduce spider phobia symptoms. Additionally, we will examine user-friendliness of the application and the effect of usage intensity and presence on treatment outcome. Methods This study is registered in the Netherlands Trial Registry under NL70238.029.19 (Trial NL9221). Ethical approval was received on October 11, 2019. One-hundred-twelve participants (age 18–64, score ≥ 59) on the Fear of Spiders Questionnaire [FSQ] will be recruited from the general Dutch population and randomly assigned to a treatment or waitlist control group. The ZeroPhobia application can be accessed on users’ smartphone. Baseline, post-test (i.e., at six weeks), 3- and 12-month follow-up assessments will be done, each including the Fear of Spiders Questionnaire as the main outcome measure as well as additional measures of anxiety, depression, user-friendliness, and presence as secondary measures and covariates. Results The study was funded on September 25, 2018. Data collection started in September 2021 and the study is expected to run until September 2022. Conclusions Our study will improve our understanding of the efficacy and feasibility of providing Exposure Therapy for spider phobia using an Augmented Reality self-help application, with the intention of making mental health care more accessible.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1932-6203
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0271175
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0271175.g001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0271175.g002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0271175.g003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0271175.g004
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0271175.g005
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0271175.g006
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0271175.t001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0271175.s001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0271175.s002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0271175.s003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0271175.s004
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0271175.r001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0271175.r002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0271175.r003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0271175.r004
Language:
English
Publisher:
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Publication Date:
2022
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2267670-3
