TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2017//
TI  - Usefulness of the mobile virtual reality self-training for overcoming a fear of heights
JO  - Cyberpsychology, behavior and social networking
A1  - Hong, Yeon-Ju
A1  - Kim, Hesun Erin
A1  - Jung, Young Hoon
A1  - Kyeong, Sunghyon
A1  - Kim, Jae-Jin
SP  - 753
EP  - 761
VL  - 20
IS  - 12
N2  - A mobile virtual reality system, equipped with built-in variables such as heart rate (HR), gaze-down data, and subjective fear rating, can allow individuals with a fear of heights to overcome it by self-training. This study aimed to verify the efficacy and safety of the training program. Forty-eight volunteers completed the four-session self-training program over 2 weeks. They were allocated into either low- or high-fear group by the Acrophobia Questionnaire (AQ)-anxiety scores, and then the changes of the built-in variables and AQ-anxiety scores were analyzed between the groups. The safety was assessed using the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ). The AQ-anxiety scores were significantly decreased after self-training in both groups, and the degree of decrease was significantly greater in the high-fear group than in the low-fear group. Gaze-down percentage and subjective fear rating showed a significant group difference, but HR did not. The SSQ scores were within the acceptable level. These results suggest that the training effect was greater in the high-fear group than in the low-fear group. This mobile program may be safely applicable to self-training for individuals with high scores on the fear of heights by repeated exposure to virtual environments with the embedded feedback system.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 2152-2715
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2017.0085
ID  - ref1
ER  -