Virtual Reality Immersive Method for Spider (Phobia) Exposure Therapy (VIMSE)

Subjects are exposed to phobic stimuli with the aid of a trained psychotherapist during a session of maximum 3 hrs duration. The intensity of exposure is increased in four sequential steps, 1. learning to catch a spider with a glass and paper, 2. touching a spider, 3. letting a spider walk on your hand, 4. letting a spider walk on your body. These stages repeat with increasingly larger spiders. The goal of therapy is not absolute symptom reduction but sufficient reduction to allow the individual to expose themselves in everyday situations.

The VR-OST treatment introduces a virtual gamified version of OST treatment using a modern virtual reality headset. Individuals advance themselves through increasing levels of exposure intensity with the assistance of an automated virtual therapist.