What side effects are associated with this type of intervention?

Exposure therapy, including augmented reality exposure therapy (ARET), is generally well-tolerated with minimal side effects. Common side effects may include temporary increases in anxiety or distress during the exposure sessions, which typically decrease as the therapy progresses. Some patients might experience physical symptoms such as sweating, increased heart rate, or nausea due to anxiety. However, these symptoms are usually short-lived and diminish as the patient becomes desensitized to the feared object. There are no significant long-term adverse effects reported for this type of therapy.

What prior FDA approvals exist?

There are no specific FDA-approved drugs for the treatment of animal phobia. However, exposure therapy, which involves controlled and gradual exposure to the feared object, is a well-established treatment for specific phobias, including animal phobia. This method is similar to the Augmented Reality Exposure Therapy being studied, where patients are gradually exposed to virtual representations of the feared object under the guidance of a clinician. This approach helps in reducing the fear response over time.

What other types of research exist?

Promising, novel alternatives to Augmented Reality Exposure Therapy for animal phobia patients include Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET), which immerses patients in a controlled virtual environment to gradually expose them to feared animals. Another alternative is the use of advanced biofeedback and neurofeedback techniques, which help patients manage their physiological responses to fear. Additionally, combining exposure therapy with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques, such as cognitive restructuring and relaxation training, can enhance treatment outcomes.

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Augmented Reality Exposure for Animal Phobia

N/A

Waitlist Available

Led By Arash Javanbakht, MD

Research Sponsored by Wayne State University

Eligibility Criteria Checklist

Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial

Must have

Be between 18 and 65 years old

Must not have

Serious medical or neurological illness

People who refuse or are unable to consent to participate in the study

Timeline

Screening 3 weeks

Treatment Varies

Follow Up change in score from baseline to post treatment (immediately following the last exposure therapy session and at one-month follow-up)

Awards & highlights

Summary

This trial uses augmented reality to help people who are afraid of dogs. Patients wear special glasses that show virtual dogs in their real surroundings. A therapist guides them through interactions with these virtual dogs to help reduce their fear.

Who is the study for?

This trial is for individuals who have a strong fear of dogs (cynophobia) as their main issue, confirmed by DSM-5 criteria. Participants must be willing and able to consent to the study. It's not suitable for those with unstable behavior, visual or auditory disabilities that affect AR goggle use, seizure history, under court care, on certain medications like antidepressants or mood stabilizers, or with serious medical conditions.

What is being tested?

The trial tests an augmented reality exposure therapy method for dog phobia using patented software and AR devices in a clinical setting. The patient undergoes guided exposure to virtual dogs in various forms while wearing AR goggles to reduce their fear response.

What are the potential side effects?

Since this intervention involves psychological therapy rather than medication, side effects may include temporary increases in anxiety during early treatment sessions as part of the normal process of exposure therapy.

Eligibility Criteria

Exclusion Criteria

You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:

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I have a serious health or brain condition.

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I am willing and able to give consent to participate in the study.

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I have a history of seizures or a condition that increases my risk for seizures.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks3 visits

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~ change in score on behavioral approach test from baseline to post treatment (immediately following the last exposure therapy session and at one-month follow-up)

Screening ~ 3 weeks

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~change in score on behavioral approach test from baseline to post treatment (immediately following the last exposure therapy session and at one-month follow-up)

This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and change in score on behavioral approach test from baseline to post treatment (immediately following the last exposure therapy session and at one-month follow-up) for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.

Primary study objectives

Behavioral Approach Test--Ability to confront phobia

Secondary study objectives

Cynophobia (fear of dogs) as measured by the Dog Phobia Questionnaire (DPQ)

Other study objectives

Autonomic Arousal

Credibility and expectancy of treatment efficacy as measured by the Credibility/Expectancy Questionnaire

Trial Design

2Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Active Control

Group I: InterventionExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

The experimental group will go through an exposure therapy session using an augmented reality headset device. The participant will work with the therapist, who will control the augmented reality paradigm and cater the exposure to the needs of the participant. The duration of the exposure will be as long as is needed to reduce anxiety regarding the feared object until self-reported subjective distress is low and stable.

Group II: Non-interventionActive Control1 Intervention

The control group will not go through an exposure therapy session using an augmented reality headset device. This will be a no-intervention control group that can have some form of exposure therapy following the conclusion of the treatment/research period.

0 / 3Eligibility criteria met

Research Highlights

Information in this section is not a recommendation. We encourage patients to speak with their healthcare team when evaluating any treatment decision.

Mechanism Of Action

Side Effect Profile

Prior Approvals

Other Research

The most common treatment for animal phobia is exposure therapy, which works by gradually and systematically exposing patients to the feared animal in a controlled environment. This process helps patients confront and reduce their fear response through repeated exposure, leading to desensitization. Augmented Reality Exposure Therapy (ARET) enhances this approach by using virtual objects to simulate real-life scenarios, allowing for diverse and controlled exposure that can be tailored to the patient's needs. This method is particularly beneficial as it provides a safe and flexible way to practice exposure outside the clinic, ensuring better generalization of safety learning to real-life situations. For animal phobia patients, this means they can progressively overcome their fears in a structured and supportive manner, ultimately improving their quality of life.