Effect of a 3D virtual environment (PsyReality) on social anxiety: a case study

This study aimed to develop and test a virtual environment called PsycReality as a way to reduce social anxiety. The virtual environment was created using 3D graphics and depicted scenarios that increased difficulties as the user progressed through phases, in a gradual manner. A case series design was adopted, eight sessions were made, and a follow-up was conducted one month after the intervention. Nine participants were divided in three groups: (a) Virtual Reality Group (VRG); (b) Behavioral Therapy Group (BTG); and (c) Waiting List Group (WLG). VRG participants were submitted to six sessions that used the virtual environment; BTG participants were exposed to phobic stimuli within the researcher’s office without the use of virtual reality; WLG participants underwent assessment questionnaires that were also applied to the other two groups. The effects of the intervention were assessed through self-report, anxiety questionnaires, observers’ assessments, and physiological arousal (skin conductance responses – SCR). VGR and BTG participants’ self-reports indicated they were able to expose themselves to natural situations that previously elicited anxiety responses after the exposure sessions as well as SCR decreased during the sessions, suggesting that anxiety was reduced. VRG participants showed greater generalization to natural environments and were less anxious in generalization sessions than BTG participants, the results were maintained in follow-up. WLG participants, however, did not change their baseline data. Therefore, this study suggests that the PsycReality environment facilitates the generalization of appropriate behaviors to the natural environment and might be useful in reducing social anxiety.