Virtual reality in the treatment of claustrophobic fear:: A controlled, multiple-baseline design

The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) exposure in the treatment of claustrophobic fear. We evaluated the intervention following a controlled, multiple-baseline design across 4 participants with claustrophobic fear who sought psychological help in our anxiety disorders clinic. The treatment consisted of 8 individual VR graded exposure sessions. Data were obtained at pre treatment, posttreatment, and 3-month follow-up on several clinical measures: Behavioral Avoidance Test, Self-Efficacy Toward Closed Spaces, Problem-Related Impairment Questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory (Beck, 1978), and Anxiety Sensitivity Index (Peterson & Reiss, 1992). Results support the effectiveness of the VR procedure for the treatment of claustrophobic fear. An important change appeared in all measures after treatment completion. It can be concluded that VR exposure was effective in reducing fear and avoidance in closed spaces and in increasing self-efficacy in claustrophobic situations. Moreover, changes were maintained at 3-month follow-up.