N/A
Completed N=54
Telemedicine-Based Virtual Reality Clinic for the Treatment of Phobias
Arachnophobia · Cynophobia · Ophidiophobia
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06302868 ↗
Enrolled (actual)
54
Serious AEs
0.0%
Results posted
May 2026
Primary outcomePrimary: Phobia Symptom Severity — 2.80; 3.18; 1.51; 1.55 units on a scale
Summary
The purpose of this study is to assess the feasibility of conducting a randomized controlled efficacy trial comparing the delivery of exposure therapy via a telemedicine-based virtual reality clinic (Doxy.me VR) vs. standard telemental health (TMH) to adults with intense fear of dogs, snakes, and/or spiders. The secondary purpose is to preliminarily examine the efficacy of using Doxy.me VR vs. TMH in reducing phobia severity.
Outcome Measures
| Outcome | Result | p-value |
|---|---|---|
| PRIMARY Phobia Symptom Severity |
2.80; 3.18; 1.51; 1.55; 0.86; 0.56 | — |
| SECONDARY Specific Phobia Diagnosis |
29; 23; 0; 2; 0; 0 | — |
| SECONDARY General Anxiety Severity |
6.03; 7.68; 7.14; 3.71 | — |
| SECONDARY Depression Severity |
4.62; 7.60; 7.43; 4.86 | — |
| SECONDARY Therapeutic Alliance |
55.64; 57.67; 19.14; 19.73; 17.79; 18.13 | — |
| SECONDARY Treatment Satisfaction |
30.36; 31.47; 31.43; 31.07 | — |
| SECONDARY System Usability |
76.43; 90.33; 80.89; 88.39 | — |
| SECONDARY Telepresence |
8.38; 7.69 | — |
| SECONDARY Cybersickness |
7.69 | — |
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
In order to be eligible to participate in this study, an individual must meet all of the following criteria:
- Is an adult ≥ 18 years old
- Has a self-reported fear of dogs, snakes, and/or spiders
- Indicates Subthreshold or Present Specific Phobia symptoms as determined by the study therapist via administration of the Diagnostic Assessment Research Tool (DART) Specific Phobia Module
- Has access to the internet AND a computer OR smartphone with video conferencing capabilities
- Will reside in the state of Florida for the duration of the study
Exclusion Criteria
An individual who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this study:
- Is participating in ongoing mental health therapy from a non-study therapist
- Has had changes to psychotropic medication use within six weeks preceding enrollment in the trial
- Reports active suicidal and/or homicidal intent or plan as determined by the study therapist via administration of the Diagnostic Assessment Research Tool (DART) Risk Assessment Module
- Reports active auditory, visual, and/or tactile hallucinations via the Diagnostic Assessment Research Tool (DART) Psychosis Module screening question
- Reports having a diagnosis of photosensitive epilepsy by a medical doctor or a history of experiencing seizures that they believe were caused by photosensitivity
Data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06302868). Outcome figures and adverse-event rates are extracted automatically from the registry's posted results and are provided for clinician reference, not as a substitute for the primary publication. Informational only — not medical advice.