Efficacy of virtual reality exposure therapy to treat driving phobia: a case report
Wald, J.; Taylor, S.
Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry 31(3-4): 249-257
2000
ISSN/ISBN: 0005-7916 PMID: 11494960 Document Number: 523588
An AB case design was used to examine the efficacy of virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) in treating driving phobia. After a one week baseline, the patient received three treatment sessions over a ten day period. Treatment included practice of four VR driving scenarios. Peak anxiety decreased within and across sessions. Ratings of anxiety and avoidance declined from pre-treatment and post-treatment, with gains maintained at seven month followup. Phobia-related interference in daily functioning similarly decreased. The results suggest that it would be useful to further evaluate the efficacy of VRET for driving phobia in controlled clinical trials.