Fear of flying and virtual reality

Virtual Reality (VR) is a less complex, cheaper alternative to in vivo exposure for 2.2. Going to the airport 2.3. Boarding Gate 2.4. The Plane the treatment of flying phobia. This technology does not require a high imagination capacity on the patient as the case of the typical exposure techniques. Also, the exposure can be modified to the patients needs when using VR, as the therapist can control different parameters such as duration of the flight, weather conditions, people on the flight,etc.
Many studies demonstrate the efficiency of VR as a treatment for specific phobias. A systematic review about the use of VR as a treatment of flying phobia showed that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) combined with relaxation techniques and VR exposure is effective for the treatment of flying phobia (Costa et al. 2008). Also, a study by Botella (2004), demonstrated the efficiency of VR as the only line of treatment for flying phobia at short and long term.

References
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• Botella, C., Osma, J., García-Palacios, A., Quero, S. & Baños, R.M. (2004). Treatment of Flying Phobia using Virtual Reality: Data from a 1-Year Follow-up using a Multiple Baseline Design. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 11(5), 311-323.
• Bretón-López, J., Tortella-Feliu, M., Del Amo, A. R., Baños, R., Llabrés, J., Gelabert, J. M., & Botella, C. (2015). Patients’ preferences regarding three computer based exposure treatments for fear of flying. Behavioral Psychology/ Psicologia Conductual.
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• Tortella-Feliu, M., Botella, C., Llabrés, J., Bretón-López, J. M., del Amo, A. R., Baños, R. M., & Gelabert, J. M. (2011). Virtual reality versus computer-aided exposure treatments for fear of flying. Behavior Modification. https://doi.org/10.1177/0145445510390801
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