Efficacy of a Gamified Augmented Reality Exposure-based Application in Subjects With Fear of Spiders

Participants will be exposed to nine different AR spider scenarios with a pre-defined length of 2 minutes for each level. Each level starts with a surface scan of the environment and the placement of the AR spider model(s) by tapping on the display. Through small text pop-ups the user is instructed to perform different tasks (e.g. looking at the spider model, approaching it, holding the hand under the model). They proceed to further levels according to a predefined exposure scheme based on SUDS for fear (scale 0=no fear to 10=maximum fear) and disgust (scale 0=no disgust to 10=maximum disgust) and the assurance of the task completed (yes/no). Users will repeat each level until their SUDS are 4 or below and have completed the task. Each exposure session is limited to approx. 30 minutes (controlled by the participants) irrespective of achieved level.