Title: Effect of two different control mechanics in VR exposure in spider phobia

Authors: Erik Kropf; Maximilian Frick; Andreas Muehlberger; Volker Busch

Addresses: University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany ' University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany ' University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany ' University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany

Abstract: The current study investigates the effect of fear reduction in spider phobic participants for different control mechanics in virtual reality (VR) before, during and after treatment. Thirty spider phobic participants received virtual reality exposure treatment, one group using a Kinect control and the other group using a Joystick to interact with a virtual spider and had to answer a subjective fear rating immediately before, during and after the treatment session. Questionnaires [spider phobia questionnaire (SPQ) and fear of spiders questionnaire (FSQ)] both indexing self-reported spider fear had to be answered. After the VR treatment session both groups had a statistically significant decrease in overall fear reaction in subjective fear rating, and heart rate. The effect was independent from the treatment group. The post treatment questionnaires showed a lower rating, however no difference between the treatment groups was observed. The study results reject the hypothesis that different control mechanics in virtual reality can influence the fear lowering effect of the virtual treatment session.

Keywords: virtual reality; spider phobia; Kinect; exposure therapy; presence.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBHR.2024.144296

International Journal of Behavioural and Healthcare Research, 2024 Vol.9 No.3/4, pp.187 - 201

Accepted: 08 May 2023
Published online: 04 Feb 2025 *

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