The Efficacy of Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy in reducing Social Anxiety Symptoms

This project investigates the efficacy of Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) as an innovative treatment for Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD). Traditional treatments like cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and pharmacotherapy face challenges such as accessibility, cost, and patient engagement. VRET presents a scalable alternative by using immersive environments that simulate real-world social situations. The study employed a within-subjects design with ten participants exposed to virtual environments featuring varying levels of social interaction. Anxiety levels were measured using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Social Interaction Anxiety Scale (SIAS) before and after exposure. Findings revealed a significant reduction in state and social anxiety, especially in scenarios with higher interaction levels, supporting the potential of VRET as a viable intervention. This project includes the dataset, analysis scripts, and supplementary materials from the study. While promising, the study had limitations, including a small, homogenous sample and the lack of long-term follow-up. Future research should aim to optimize VR environments and explore long-term efficacy in diverse populations.