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Virtual reality-based exposure with applied biofeedback for social anxiety disorder

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 August 2021

M. Ernst ,
M. Lichtenstein ,
L. Clemmensen ,
T. Andersen  and
S. Bouchard
M. Ernst*
Affiliation:
Department Of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense C, Denmark
M. Lichtenstein
Affiliation:
Research Unit For Telepsychiatry And E-mental Health, Centre For Telepsychiatry, Mental Health Services in the Region of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
L. Clemmensen
Affiliation:
Research Unit For Telepsychiatry And E-mental Health., Centre for Telepsychiatry in the Mental Health Services in the Region of Southern Denmark., Odense, Denmark
T. Andersen
Affiliation:
Department Of Psychology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
S. Bouchard
Affiliation:
Department Of Psychoeducation And Psychology, University du Québec en Outaouais, quebec, Canada
*
*Corresponding author.

Abstract

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Introduction

Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) is considered the most prevalent anxiety disorder with the highest disease burden amongst anxiety disorders. Despite available effective treatment with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, a majority of individuals with SAD do not seek treatment and many drop out when confronted with elements of exposure. Several studies highlight the many advantages virtual reality exposure holds over in vivo exposure. In this study, we investigate the added effect of real-time biofeedback during virtual reality exposure.

Objectives

The current study is part of a large scale study called VR8. The current study aims to develop and evaluate the feasibility of a VR-biofeedback-intervention for adults with mild to severe social anxiety disorder, before continuing randomized controlled trials.

Methods

Data from semi-structured interviews and surveys will be compared to biodata collected during VR exposure. Participants include a minimum of (n=10) patients and (n=10) clinicians from the Mental Health Services in the Region of Southern Denmark. Surveys include questionnaires used for assessment of anxiety symptoms, usability of technology, and presence in the virtual environment. Collected biodata includes heart rate variability and electrodermal activity. Behavioral markers include eye-gaze. The findings will be analyzed and discussed in a mixed methods design.

Results

The study is ongoing. Preliminary results will be available at presentation.

Conclusions

Successful development and implementation of a biofeedback-informed virtual reality exposure intervention may provide increased reach for patients and individuals who would have otherwise not sought- or dropped out of regular treatment, as well as inform the clinician on how to proceed during virtual exposure.

Conflict of interest

Prof. Stephané Bouchard is consultant to and own equity in Cliniques et Développement In Virtuo, which develops virtual environments, and conflicts of interests are managed according to UQO’s conflict of interests policy; however, Cliniques et Développeme

Keywords

virtual realitysocial anxiety disorderBiofeedbackexposure
Type
Abstract
Information
European Psychiatry , Volume 64 , Special Issue S1: Abstracts of the 29th European Congress of Psychiatry , April 2021 , pp. S184
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BY
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the European Psychiatric Association
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