Improving the efficacy of exposure therapy using projection-based augmented reality for the treatment of cockroach phobia: a randomised clinical trial protocol

Introduction In vivo exposure is the treatment of choice for specific phobia (SP), but this technique presents limitations related to access and acceptability. Augmented reality (AR) offers advantages like maximising strategies such as ‘variability’ (varying stimuli, durations, levels of intensity o...

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Main Authors: Soledad Quero, Jorge Grimaldos, Juana Bretón-López, María Palau-Batet, Laura Díaz-Sanahuja
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMJ Publishing Group 2023-05-01
Series:BMJ Open
Online Access:https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/13/5/e069026.full
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author Soledad Quero
Jorge Grimaldos
Juana Bretón-López
María Palau-Batet
Laura Díaz-Sanahuja
author_facet Soledad Quero
Jorge Grimaldos
Juana Bretón-López
María Palau-Batet
Laura Díaz-Sanahuja
author_sort Soledad Quero
collection DOAJ
description Introduction In vivo exposure is the treatment of choice for specific phobia (SP), but this technique presents limitations related to access and acceptability. Augmented reality (AR) offers advantages like maximising strategies such as ‘variability’ (varying stimuli, durations, levels of intensity or the order of the items), control by the therapist, or ‘exposure to multiple contexts’, which can produce positive effects in terms of fear renewal and generalisation of the results. The aim of this study is to test the efficacy of varying the phobic stimuli during treatment with AR: using multiple stimuli (MS) versus a single stimulus (SS) in participants with SP.Methods and analysis Participants (N=80) with a diagnosis of an SP of cockroaches will be randomised into two conditions: (1) projection-based AR exposure therapy with MS (P-ARET MS); (2) P-ARET with an SS (P-ARET SS). The measures are related to the efficacy results (fear, avoidance and negative thoughts, performance on the behavioural avoidance test (BAT) and preferences). The primary outcome measure is the BAT, and the secondary outcome measures are the BAT through AR, Fear of Cockroaches Questionnaire, Cockroach Phobia Beliefs Questionnaire, Fear and Avoidance Scales Patient’s Improvement Scale, and Beck Depression Inventory Second Edition. Five evaluation moments will be included: preintervention, postintervention, and 1-month, 6-month, and 12-month follow-ups. The treatment will follow the guidelines of the ‘one-session treatment’. Student’s t-tests to compare the two groups on the post-test will be applied. In addition, two-way analysis of variances with repeated measures in one of the two factors (pretest, post-test and follow-ups) will be carried out to compare intragroup differences.Ethics and dissemination The Universitat Jaume I Ethics Committee (Castellón, Spain) granted approval for the study (CD/64/2019). Dissemination will include publications and presentations at national and international conferences.Trial registration number NCT04563403.
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spelling doaj.art-7058552e697c486a8306b3bdeba2a3582023-05-20T01:30:07ZengBMJ Publishing GroupBMJ Open2044-60552023-05-0113510.1136/bmjopen-2022-069026Improving the efficacy of exposure therapy using projection-based augmented reality for the treatment of cockroach phobia: a randomised clinical trial protocolSoledad Quero0Jorge Grimaldos1Juana Bretón-López2María Palau-Batet3Laura Díaz-Sanahuja4CIBER de Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Carlos III Institute of Health, Madrid, SpainDepartment of Basic, Clinical Psychology, and Psychobiology, Universitat Jaume I, Castellón de la Plana, SpainDepartment of Basic, Clinical Psychology, and Psychobiology, Universitat Jaume I, Castellón de la Plana, SpainDepartment of Basic, Clinical Psychology, and Psychobiology, Universitat Jaume I, Castellón de la Plana, SpainDepartment of Basic, Clinical Psychology, and Psychobiology, Universitat Jaume I, Castellón de la Plana, SpainIntroduction In vivo exposure is the treatment of choice for specific phobia (SP), but this technique presents limitations related to access and acceptability. Augmented reality (AR) offers advantages like maximising strategies such as ‘variability’ (varying stimuli, durations, levels of intensity or the order of the items), control by the therapist, or ‘exposure to multiple contexts’, which can produce positive effects in terms of fear renewal and generalisation of the results. The aim of this study is to test the efficacy of varying the phobic stimuli during treatment with AR: using multiple stimuli (MS) versus a single stimulus (SS) in participants with SP.Methods and analysis Participants (N=80) with a diagnosis of an SP of cockroaches will be randomised into two conditions: (1) projection-based AR exposure therapy with MS (P-ARET MS); (2) P-ARET with an SS (P-ARET SS). The measures are related to the efficacy results (fear, avoidance and negative thoughts, performance on the behavioural avoidance test (BAT) and preferences). The primary outcome measure is the BAT, and the secondary outcome measures are the BAT through AR, Fear of Cockroaches Questionnaire, Cockroach Phobia Beliefs Questionnaire, Fear and Avoidance Scales Patient’s Improvement Scale, and Beck Depression Inventory Second Edition. Five evaluation moments will be included: preintervention, postintervention, and 1-month, 6-month, and 12-month follow-ups. The treatment will follow the guidelines of the ‘one-session treatment’. Student’s t-tests to compare the two groups on the post-test will be applied. In addition, two-way analysis of variances with repeated measures in one of the two factors (pretest, post-test and follow-ups) will be carried out to compare intragroup differences.Ethics and dissemination The Universitat Jaume I Ethics Committee (Castellón, Spain) granted approval for the study (CD/64/2019). Dissemination will include publications and presentations at national and international conferences.Trial registration number NCT04563403.https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/13/5/e069026.full
spellingShingle Soledad Quero
Jorge Grimaldos
Juana Bretón-López
María Palau-Batet
Laura Díaz-Sanahuja
Improving the efficacy of exposure therapy using projection-based augmented reality for the treatment of cockroach phobia: a randomised clinical trial protocol
BMJ Open
title Improving the efficacy of exposure therapy using projection-based augmented reality for the treatment of cockroach phobia: a randomised clinical trial protocol
title_full Improving the efficacy of exposure therapy using projection-based augmented reality for the treatment of cockroach phobia: a randomised clinical trial protocol
title_fullStr Improving the efficacy of exposure therapy using projection-based augmented reality for the treatment of cockroach phobia: a randomised clinical trial protocol
title_full_unstemmed Improving the efficacy of exposure therapy using projection-based augmented reality for the treatment of cockroach phobia: a randomised clinical trial protocol
title_short Improving the efficacy of exposure therapy using projection-based augmented reality for the treatment of cockroach phobia: a randomised clinical trial protocol
title_sort improving the efficacy of exposure therapy using projection based augmented reality for the treatment of cockroach phobia a randomised clinical trial protocol
url https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/13/5/e069026.full
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