Virtual Reality-based Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Therapy for Specific Phobias

NCT06906770 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: FHSHEA000372
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 17
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to study the effectiveness of a virtual reality-based eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) application in treating phobia. It will also learn about the feasibility and safety of the application for independent use. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does the VR EMDR application reduce distress, improve positive cognitions, and decrease avoidance of specific phobias? Can the application help diminish phobia-related bodily sensations and encourage cognitive shifts toward positive beliefs and greater confidence in confronting previously avoided situations? Can the participants independently administer the treatment with minimum assistance? Participants will: Visit the site and take the VR EMDR phobia treatment every day for one week. Report their phobia and simulator sickness symptoms through self-report questionnaires or semi-structured interviews.

Conditions

Specific Phobias

Keywords

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR); Virtual Reality

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Change in Subjective Units of Distress (SUDs)

  The Subjective Units of Distress Scale (SUDs) is a self-reported measure of distress experienced by participants during each virtual reality (VR) EMDR session. Participants will rate their level of distress on a scale from 0 (no distress) to 10 (highest distress). Outcome is measured by the change in SUD score throughout each session and cumulative change from Day 1 to Day 5.

  Recorded 4 times during each VR EMDR session (first being baseline, and the subsequent three were recorded after each eye movement set in desensitisation phrase) across the 5 consecutive intervention days.

• Change in Validity of Cognitions (VoC)

  The Validity of Cognition (VoC) scale measures the strength of positive cognitions related to the phobic trigger. Participants will rate how true their preferred positive cognition feels on a scale from 1 (completely false) to 7 (completely true) during each VR EMDR session. Outcome is measured by change in VoC score throughout each session and cumulative change from Day 1 to Day 5.

  Recorded 4 times during each VR EMDR session (first being baseline, and the subsequent three were recorded after each eye movement set in installation phrase) across the 5 consecutive intervention days.

• Change in IAPT Phobia Scale Score

  The Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) Phobia Scale assesses the severity of phobic symptoms in terms of avoidance behaviour. Participants will complete the scale before the intervention (baseline) and immediately after the final session (Day 5). Outcome is measured by the change in IAPT Phobia Scale score from baseline to Day 5 post-intervention. Participants achieved remission if they scored below the threshold of 4 in the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies Phobia (IAPT) phobia scale.

  Baseline (Day 0, pre-intervention) and post-intervention (Day 5).

• The Severity Measure for Specific Phobia-Adult

  The Severity Measure for Specific Phobia-Adult is a 10-item measure that assesses the severity of specific phobia in individuals age 18 and older. The measure was designed to be completed by an individual upon receiving a diagnosis of specific phobia (or clinically significant specific phobia symptoms) and thereafter, prior to follow-up visits with the clinician. Each item asks the individual to rate the severity of his or her specific phobia during the past 7 days.

  Baseline (Day 0, pre-intervention) and post-intervention (Day 5).

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ) Score Change

  Day 1 and Day 5 post-intervention.

• Participant Adherence

  Day 5 post-intervention.

• Participant Acceptability

  Day 5 post-intervention

Study Arms (1)

VR EMDR

EXPERIMENTAL

Other: Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing phobia treatment in virtual reality

Interventions

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing phobia treatment in virtual reality OTHER

Short form and frequent eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) in virtual reality for specific phobia treatment.

VR EMDR

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 17 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Have a specific phobia (not necessarily clinically significant)

You may not qualify if:

• Diagnosis of mental health disorders
• History of trauma associated with their phobia
• History of panic attacks associated with their phobia
• History of psychosis
• Current self-harm
• Current suicidal ideation
• Regular use of substances that might affect mental state
• Regular use of medications that might affect mental state
• Significant visual impairments
• Severe motion sickness

Sponsors & Collaborators

• The University of Northampton: lead
• St Andrew's Healthcare: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

University of Northampton

Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN1 5PH, United Kingdom

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Phobia, Specific

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 24, 2025
• First Posted: April 2, 2025
• Study Start: April 28, 2025
• Primary Completion: May 2, 2025
• Study Completion: May 2, 2025
• Last Updated: May 28, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

GB (1)