University of Worcester Worcester Research and Publications
 
  USER PANEL:
  ABOUT THE COLLECTION:
  CONTACT DETAILS:

Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for the Treatment of Dental Phobia: A Controlled Feasibility Study

Gujjar, K.R., van Wijk, A., Sharma, R. and de Jongh, Ad (2017) Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for the Treatment of Dental Phobia: A Controlled Feasibility Study. Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy, 46 (3). pp. 367-373. ISSN 1352-4658 Online: 1469-1833

Full text not available from this repository. (Request a copy)

Abstract

Background: Virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) has been used to treat a variety of fears and phobias. Aim: To determine the feasibility (i.e. safety and efficacy) of using VRET to treat dental phobia. Method: Safety was evaluated by determining any adverse events or symptom exacerbation. Efficacy of VRET was evaluated by comparing the reduction in dental anxiety scores (measured 16 times within a 14-week study period, and at 6-month follow-up), and its behavioural effects with that of an informational pamphlet (IP) on ten randomized patients with dental phobia using a controlled multiple baseline design. Participants� heart rate response during VRET, and their experience post-VRET, were indexed. Results: No personal adverse events or symptom exacerbation occurred. Visual analysis and post-hoc intention-to-treat analysis showed a significantly greater decrease in dental anxiety scores higher PND (percentage of non-overlap data) scores of 100% and lower POD (percentage of overlap data) of 0%, Modified Dental Anxiety Scale, F (1,8) = 8.61, p = 0.019, and Dental Fear Scale, F (1,8) = 10.53, p = 0.012, and behavioural avoidance in the VRET compared with the IP group d = 4.2 and �1.4, respectively). There was no increase in average heart rate during VRET. Of the nine treatment completers, six (four from the VRET group and two from the IP group) no longer had dental phobia at 6-month follow-up. Four of the five VRET participants, but none of the IP participants, scheduled a dental treatment appointment following the intervention. Conclusion: VRET is a feasible alternative for patients with dental phobia. Copyright © British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies 2017

Item Type: Article
Additional Information:

Staff and students at the University of Worcester can access the full-text via the UW online library search. External users should check availability with their local library or Interlibrary Requests Service

Uncontrolled Discrete Keywords: dental phobia, dental anxiety, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, specific phobia, virtual reality exposure therapy
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Divisions: College of Business, Psychology and Sport > School of Psychology
Related URLs:
Depositing User: Karol Kosinski
Date Deposited: 18 Jan 2018 12:50
Last Modified: 17 Jun 2020 17:21
URI: https://eprints.worc.ac.uk/id/eprint/6333

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item
 
     
Worcester Research and Publications is powered by EPrints 3 which is developed by the School of Electronics and Computer Science at the University of Southampton. More information and software credits.