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The Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at the Medical Center – University of Freiburg is conducting research on VR-based treatment for acrophobia and social phobia / Participants wanted

The Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at the Medical Center – University of Freiburg is conducting two studies to investigate how virtual reality technology can support the treatment of anxiety disorders. The focus is on people with a fear of heights and social phobia. The studies utilize virtual environments in which typical anxiety-inducing situations are realistically simulated and therapeutically guided. The goal is to better understand how psychotherapy works and how established treatment approaches can be specifically refined with the help of virtual reality. Participants are currently being sought for both studies.

“The effectiveness of so-called exposure therapy, in which patients gradually confront their fears, is well documented,” says PD Dr. Miriam Schiele, Senior Psychologist at the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at the Medical Center – University of Freiburg. “With virtual reality, we can tailor such anxiety-inducing situations in a highly controlled and individualized manner. This allows us to precisely adjust the intensity of an exercise, and we can train, step by step, what is essential for successful therapy.”

VR-Assisted Therapy for Fear of Heights

The first study is aimed at adults with a fear of heights. The treatment consists of ten sessions of cognitive behavioral therapy over a period of six weeks. The core component is exposure to height-related situations using virtual reality goggles. In addition, psychological and biological data—including blood samples—are collected to investigate the physical and emotional changes that occur during therapy. Appointments are available Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. A 20-minute online screening is required before the start of the program. Further information on participation can be found here: https://stuz-redcap.ukl.uni-freiburg.de/surveys/?s=PT343CL7JK77CNAC

Virtual Reality for Social Anxiety Disorder

The second study is aimed at adults with social phobia. Participation involves cognitive behavioral therapy over a period of twelve weeks, during whichpatients are confronted with social situations,such as conversations and presentations, in virtual reality.In addition, biological and psychological data will also be collected here. Appointments are available Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. An approximately 20-minute online screening is required before the start. Further information on participation and access to the screening can be found here: zks-redcap.uniklinik-freiburg.de/surveys/?s=C34H9DY4NCRTEAAC