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Application of Virtual Reality Technology to Treatment of Social Anxiety

NCT06845488 · The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston
In plain English

Click the button to translate this study into plain language — what it is, who qualifies, and what participation looks like.

About this study
The purpose of this study is to compare CBT VR exposure + VR social skills treatment to CBT Imaginal exposure + mindfulness, in reducing the severity of social anxiety in adults with autism and social anxiety (SA), to identify characteristics associated with benefitting from the CBT-VR treatment and to assess acceptability and feasibility of the VR intervention for patients receiving it and use findings to improve methods and to prepare for a community based pragmatic trial.
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) (diagnosed by a qualified professional) * verbal and literate in English or Spanish * average or greater intellectual ability, based on history and interview * able to operate a computer (Windows or Mac). Exclusion Criteria: * current or historical severe mental illness such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or severe depression * intellectual disability or a learning disability that would interfere with participating (e.g., unable to read) * unable use the technology or do not have access to the technology * unable to read
Study design
Enrollment target: 40 participants
Allocation: non_randomized
Masking: none
Age groups: adult, older_adult
Timeline
Starts: 2024-11-07
Estimated completion: 2026-03-31
Last updated: 2025-07-15
Interventions
Behavioral: CBTDevice: VR
Primary outcomes
  • Change in anxiety as assessed by the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS) (Baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 9 weeks, 12 weeks, post treatment (about 4 weeks after end of treatment)))
  • Change in anxiety as assessed by the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale (SIAS) (Baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 9 weeks, 12 weeks, post treatment (about 4 weeks after end of treatment))
  • Change in anxiety as assessed by the Social Phobia Scale (SPS) (Baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 9 weeks, 12 weeks, post treatment (about 4 weeks after end of treatment))
Sponsor
The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston · other
Contacts & investigators
ContactKatherine Loveland, PhD · contact · Katherine.A.Loveland@uth.tmc.edu · 713-486-2587
ContactCraig Motsenbocker, PhD · contact · craig.m.motsenbocker@uth.tmc.edu) · (713) 486-2700
InvestigatorKatherine Loveland, PhD · principal_investigator, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houstom
All locations (1)
The University of Texas Health Science Center at HoustonRecruiting
Houston, Texas, United States