Studies & Our Claims:

With VR technology, users gain unprecedented control over the pace of their exposure, along with the freedom to choose when and where they undergo VRET. Rephobia's VRET solution offers accessibility, privacy, scalability, customizability, and remarkable effectiveness compared to traditional imaginal exposure. These findings are substantiated by the research of Bouchard et. al. (2017), Boeldt et. al. (2019), Maples-Keller et. al. (2017), Clemmensen et. al. (2020), and Garcia-Palacios et. al. (2007).
In terms of efficacy, VRET is on par with in vivo ET, as demonstrated by studies conducted by Fodor et. al. (2018), Wechsler et. al. (2019), and Morina et. al. (2015). Moreover, VRET surpasses in vivo ET by maintaining its effectiveness over a six-month period, as observed in the study by Bouchard et. al. (2017).
Rephobia utilizes high-definition 5.7k video technology to create the most immersive virtual environment possible. The emphasis on achieving a profound sense of presence significantly enhances the overall therapy experience, even in the absence of a therapist, as highlighted in the study by Donker et. al. (2020).
Our users are asked to complete two psychometric questions before and after engaging with the program. These questions assess the current state of their phobic symptoms on a Likert scale (Marks & Mathews, 1979) and the frequency of phobia-induced anxiety over the past two weeks (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Users also provide self-reports on their emotional state at the end of each module for efficacy assessment, utilizing a Subjective Units of Distress Scale (SUDS) (Wolpe, 1969).
To measure immersiveness, we evaluate the sense of presence experienced by users post-immersion using the first question from the Gatineau Presence Questionnaire (Witmer & Singer, 1998). Users are invited to rate the realism of their VR experience on a sliding scale from 0 to 100 after their initial use of the VR headset.
Explore below for an annotated bibliography of research studies that affirm the viability of the Rephobia project and the effectiveness of VR exposure therapy.