Acrophobia treatment with virtual reality-assisted acceptance and commitment therapy: Two case reports

Abstract

Exposure has an essential place in the treatment of acrophobia and technology may increase the success of exposure therapies in many ways. We predicted that the integration of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) with Virtual Reality (VR) technology would be beneficial in the treatment of acrophobia and would improve clients' compliance with therapy. This report presents two examples of VR assisted ACT treatment for acrophobia. The process consists of six sessions (one initial interview and five sessions of interventions) for individual therapy. In the first two sessions, functional behavioral analysis and case formulation performed with clients and skills taught to use during exposure sessions. From the second session, VR assisted exposure interventions began to apply with ACT principles. Results showed an expressive improvement for both of the clients. Both clients could complete the virtual behavioral approach task at the end of the treatment, present decreased avoidance strategies and increased value-based behaviors. VR assisted ACT is promising, especially to facilitate exposure treatments.