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Recruiting NCT07437872

Testing Mechanisms of Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for Social Anxiety

No phase Interventional no Interaction VRET Scripted Interactions VRET Fully Customized Interactions VRET

For patients and families

In plain language

An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.

What is being studied
The protocol lists: ExpandXR.
Who it may be relevant to
Registry conditions: no Interaction VRET, Scripted Interactions VRET, Fully Customized Interactions VRET. Basic parameters: from 18 years · All.
What needs checking
Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
Where it takes place
United States
Next step
Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →

Unsure about the terms? Read our patient guide →

Overview

The purpose of this study is to test mechanisms and processes of virtual reality and augmented reality exposure therapy for social anxiety. There is substantial evidence that virtual reality exposure therapy is an effective treatment for social anxiety. However, it can be difficult to access treatment that needs to be conducted in person. Tests of self-guided (without therapist assistance) virtual reality exposure therapy have had mixed efficacy and tests of augmentation offer an important method to optimize brief interventions. The study objectives are to test a wide range of possible mechanisms and approaches (ranging from single sessions in person to remotely conducted virtual reality exposure therapy) in order to advance the field. The broadness of the proposed research is to provide multiple avenues for inquiry per discussion with IRB chair Dr. Kuo. Depending on the specific line of inquiry some variations will be documented (e.g., multiple consent forms for answering different sub questions of the primary questions listed below).

Interventions

  • Behavioral ExpandXR
    An Mixed Reality Exposure Therapy platform for the Apple Vision Pro

Primary outcome measures

  • Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale Self Report Version [Time frame: Baseline]
  • Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale Self Report Version [Time frame: 21 days]
  • Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale Self Report Version [Time frame: 51 days]
  • Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale Self Report Version [Time frame: 111 days]
  • Personal Report of Communication Apprehension (PRCA) [Time frame: Baseline]
  • Personal Report of Communication Apprehension (PRCA) [Time frame: 21 days]
  • Personal Report of Communication Apprehension (PRCA) [Time frame: 51 days]
  • Personal Report of Communication Apprehension (PRCA) [Time frame: 111 days]
Secondary outcome measures (4)
  • Speech Anxiety Thoughts Inventory [Time frame: Baseline]
  • Speech Anxiety Thoughts Inventory [Time frame: 21 days]
  • Speech Anxiety Thoughts Inventory [Time frame: 51 days]
  • Speech Anxiety Thoughts Inventory [Time frame: 111 days]

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria

  • Individuals at least 18 years of age
  • Located in the U.S. with sufficient proximity to Mountain View Campus to attend in person visit(s).
  • Able to give consent
  • Social Anxiety Disorder based on Structured Clinical Interview AND/OR self-report score cutoff (LSAS > 47).

Exclusion criteria

  • Current Alcohol or Substance Use Disorder (based on self-report)
  • Current or prior psychotic related or bipolar disorder (based on self-report)
  • Unstable psychotropic medication (starting/stopping medication in past 6 weeks based on selfreport)
  • Current cognitive behavioral therapy for social anxiety
  • Impaired vision such that cannot see in VR headset without glasses (contacts okay)

Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.

Healthy volunteers: No

Study design

Allocation
Randomized
Model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Open label
Primary purpose
Treatment

Study locations

United States · 1 center
  • Palo Alto University Mountain View Campus — Palo Alto

Identifiers

NCT: NCT07437872 · 2025-077-PAU

Primary sources (government registries)

View this study on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗