Virtual Reality and Fear of Shark Attack: A Case Study for the Treatment of Squalophobia
Virtual Reality and Fear of Shark Attack: A Case Study for the Treatment of Squalophobia
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DOI：
10.1177/1534650120940014
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发表时间：
2020-07-13
影响因子：
1
通讯作者：
Lancon, Christophe
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Malbos, Eric;Burgess, George H.;Lancon, Christophe
关于一种不寻常的焦虑症，即对鲨鱼的恐惧（squalophobia），研究治疗方案很少见。作为一种可能的解决方案，我们测试了虚拟现实（VR）暴露疗法对这种恐惧症的有效性。当现实生活中的场景不切实际时，例如将恐惧症患者暴露在令人恐惧的大型海洋生物鲨鱼面前，使用 VR 的优势就变得更加明显。这些效果在单个案例研究中进行了评估，该案例研究涉及多个背景分级的水生虚拟环境和虚拟鲨鱼，并使用经济实惠的 VR 设备和软件。评估基于自我报告问卷。心理测量仪器显示，人们对鲨鱼的恐惧明显减少。这种收益在 12 个月的随访中仍保持不变。出现率表明面对三维 (3D) 虚拟鲨鱼时的沉浸感。这项初步研究揭示了 VR 在治疗海洋生物恐惧症方面的潜力，以及为暴露疗法重现不同情境的潜力。
Research treatment protocols are rare regarding an unusual anxiety disorder, namely the fear of sharks (squalophobia). As a possible solution, the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) exposure therapy for this phobia was tested. The advantage of using VR becomes clearer when a real life set up is impractical, such as exposing a phobic patient to a feared large marine organism, the shark. The effects were evaluated in a single case study involving multiple context-graded aquatic virtual environments with a virtual shark and using affordable VR apparatus and software. Assessment was based on self-report questionnaires. Scores the psychometric instruments exhibited a discernable reduction in fear toward sharks. Such gains were maintained at a 12-month follow-up. Presence rates indicated immersion when confronted to a three-dimensional (3D) virtual shark. This initial study revealed the potential of VR for the treatment of marine biota phobia and its potential to recreate diverse situations for exposure therapy.