AUTHOR=Jurcik Tomas , Zaremba-Pike Svetlana , Kosonogov Vladimir , Mohammed Abdul-Raheem , Krasavtseva Yulia , Sawada Tadamasa , Samarina Irina , Buranova Nilufar , Adu Peter , Sergeev Nikita , Skuratov Andrei , Demchenko Anastasia , Kochetkov Yakov 

TITLE=The efficacy of augmented reality exposure therapy in the treatment of spider phobia—a randomized controlled trial

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychology

VOLUME=15

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1214125

DOI=10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1214125

ISSN=1664-1078

ABSTRACT=<p>The evidence for the use of Augmented Reality (AR) in treating specific phobias has been growing. However, issues of accessibility persist, especially in developing countries. The current study examined a novel, but relatively simple therapist guided smartphone-based AR Exposure Treatment (ARET) of spider phobia. Participants who reported symptoms of Arachnophobia were randomized into one of three comparison groups: ARET (<italic>n</italic> = 20), traditional <italic>in vivo</italic> exposure therapy (IVET; <italic>n</italic> = 18) and a waitlist control group (<italic>n</italic> = 17). Behavioral approach, subjective symptom measures, and galvanic skin response were assessed pre- and post-treatment. The study was concluded with a one-month follow up assessment. Results indicated that both treatment groups showed statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in behavioral approach at post-test that were maintained at 1 month follow- up, compared to the wait-listed group. Moreover, the treatment groups demonstrated significant improvements in subjective symptom report at 1-month follow up. Given its utility and potential accessibility, our findings suggest that future AR evaluation research could be conducted in therapy settings with minimal resources.</p>