Telemedicine-Based Virtual Reality Clinic for the Treatment of Phobias

Doxy.me VR vs. Telemental Health-Based Exposure Therapy

The purpose of this study is to assess the feasibility of conducting a randomized controlled efficacy trial comparing the delivery of exposure therapy via a telemedicine-based virtual reality clinic (Doxy.me VR) vs. standard telemental health (TMH) to adults with intense fear of dogs, snakes, and/or spiders. The secondary purpose is to preliminarily examine the efficacy of using Doxy.me VR vs. TMH in reducing phobia severity.

This study aims to assess the feasibility of conducting a randomized controlled efficacy trial comparing the delivery of exposure therapy via a telemedicine-based virtual reality clinic (Doxy.me VR) vs. standard telemental health (TMH) to adults with intense fear of dogs, snakes, and/or spiders. This study will use feasibility randomized controlled efficacy trial design. This single-site trial will include up to 60 adults with self-reported fear of dogs, snakes, and/or spiders who will be randomly assigned via the REDCap Randomization Module using a 1:1 allocation ratio to receive 12 sessions of exposure therapy over the course of 3 months via standard telemental health (TMH; n=15) vs. Doxy.me VR (n=15), a telemedicine-based virtual reality clinic.

Inclusion Criteria:

In order to be eligible to participate in this study, an individual must meet all of the following criteria:

1. Is an adult ≥ 18 years old
2. Has a self-reported fear of dogs, snakes, and/or spiders
3. Indicates Subthreshold or Present Specific Phobia symptoms as determined by the study therapist via administration of the Diagnostic Assessment Research Tool (DART) Specific Phobia Module
4. Has access to the internet AND a computer OR smartphone with video conferencing capabilities
5. Will reside in the state of Florida for the duration of the study

Exclusion Criteria:

An individual who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this study:

1. Is participating in ongoing mental health therapy from a non-study therapist
2. Has had changes to psychotropic medication use within six weeks preceding enrollment in the trial
3. Reports active suicidal and/or homicidal intent or plan as determined by the study therapist via administration of the Diagnostic Assessment Research Tool (DART) Risk Assessment Module
4. Reports active auditory, visual, and/or tactile hallucinations via the Diagnostic Assessment Research Tool (DART) Psychosis Module screening question
5. Reports having a diagnosis of photosensitive epilepsy by a medical doctor or a history of experiencing seizures that they believe were caused by photosensitivity