This new study randomised 100 people with fear of heights to no treatment or to receive 6 sessions of a virtual reality (VR) intervention delivered over 2 weeks. About 70% of the VR group no longer had a fear of heights, while, unsurprisingly, all of the people in the control group, who received no treatment, still did. Oxford VR, a spin-out company of Oxford University, has developed an automated virtual reality programme which can help people conquer their fear of heights. All participants in the VR group showed a reduction in fear of heights, with the average reduction being 68.0%. We recruited adults aged older than 18 years with a fear of heights by radio advertisements in Oxfordshire, UK. Fear of heights (acrophobia) is a common phobia, affecting an estimated 1 in 5 people. METHODS: We did a randomised trial of automated VR versus usual care. Led by Daniel Freeman, PhD, DClinPsy, the study enlisted a total of 100 volunteers with clinically diagnosed acrophobia to undergo VR therapy for their fear. Fear of heights is a significant problem for one in five people at some point in their lives, and most never receive treatment. One such VR-enabled therapy treatment for clinically diagnosed fear of heights which has been developed by Oxford VR has demonstrated to be successful in reducing patients fears by an average of nearly 70%, demonstrating its huge potential to address a … The startup sees significant scope for growth in VR-supported therapy on the NHS. According to a new Oxford University study, VR therapy may be just as effective as individualized counseling in helping people overcome their fear of heights. Randomisation was stratified by severity of fear of heights. AXA has partnered with Oxford VR to find innovative solutions to promote mental health and … Spin-out from the world-famous University of Oxford, Oxford VR uses virtual reality experiences as cognitive therapy for patients suffering from social anxiety, psychosis or fear of heights. Half of the participants in the VR group had a reduction in fear of heights by over three quarters. … Now TalkingSpace Plus and Healthy Minds, which offer treatment for people experiencing low mood, anxiety and stress, are to offer VR to … ... Oxford University. Our fear of heights therapy is initially available in the UK to NHS patients in 4 NHS IAPT services. Add to favorites. The research team, who were unaware of the random allocation, administered three fear-of-height assessments, at baseline (0 weeks), at the end of treatment (2 weeks), and at follow-up (4 weeks). A clinical study published in the August issue of Lancet Psychiatry demonstrates the potential of one such VR program, called “Now I Can Do Heights,” to help people overcome acrophobia (a fear of heights). Keith Barnes / Oxford VR at University of Oxford Oxford VR, a company created from the effort, has successfully treated height phobia with VR experiences and hopes to move on to other issues and disorders such as social anxiety and psychosis.
Although VR has been used in the past for phobias, it has always required a therapist to guide the user through the treatment. Confronting fears in virtual reality could be the future of therapy after a trial by Oxford academics found nearly three out of four patients with a serious phobia of heights could overcome it. Virtual reality can help people overcome their fear of heights, a study shows. Oxford VR has developed a therapeutic virtual reality programme in which people complete challenges such as picking fruit, or rescuing a cat from a high branch in order to overcome their fear …
These results are better than those expected with the best psychological intervention delivered face to face with a therapist. Published papers . We diagnosed fear of heights if participants scored more than 29 on the Heights Interpretation Questionnaire (HIQ). The program provides users with a series of virtual activities, guided by a digitally rendered coach, or avatar. Fear of heights is a significant problem for one in five people at some point in their lives, and most never receive treatment.