Effectiveness of virtual reality -based worry exposure therapy on the symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of virtual reality-based worry exposure therapy on the severity of symptoms and cognitive avoidance in patients with symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder. This study was conducted in the framework of a single-subject experimental design using multiple baselines with a 6-week follow-up. Three women with GAD were selected through a structured clinical interview based on the criteria of diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders 5 (DSM5) by Convenience Sampling among those who referred to the Counseling centers in Tabriz. The protocol of this study followed the manual by Becker and Margraf (2002) which describes imaginal exposure for GAD applied in 15 sessions. The only difference was that in this research exposure to virtual reality replaced with imagination. In this study, three 360-degree films were made by the researcher used for the exposure. The content made in the form of 360-degree videos and displayed to patients through virtual reality tools. The scales to assess changes in Gad symptoms and cognitive avoidance include the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire by Spitz, Kroenke, Williams, Lowe (2006) and the Cognitive Avoidance Questionnaire by sexton and Dugas (2009). Data analyzed with visuals inspection, improvement percentage, and reliable change index strategies. Results showed that virtual reality-based worry exposure therapy has significant efficiency in the reduction of GAD symptoms and cognitive avoidance clinically and statistically (p<0.05). virtual reality-based worry exposure therapy has appropriate efficacy in reducing GAD symptoms.