Evaluation of the virtual reality’s protocol effect on symptoms of social anxiety in students

Authors

  • Letícia
  • Lara Martins Dias
  • Marcelo
  • Isabel
  • Camilla de Andrade Tenorio Cavalcanti UFRPE
  • Leopoldo Nelson Fernandes Barbosa

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18616/inova.v14i5.8604

Abstract

Social Anxiety Disorder is a chronically harmful pathology that can have dysfunctional consequences for individuals. Through VR, it is possible to modify the synthetic environment, creating the illusion of interacting and getting immersed in another environment. For this reason, this study aimed to develop a VR protocol for students with symptoms of social anxiety, based on exposure techniques. Eight university students from four different health courses participated in the data collection, who were regularly enrolled at the institution, aged 18 years or over, had no previous diagnosis for other disorders, and were not dependent or abusive users of alcohol and/or other drugs. The research was structured in six self-guided intervention sessions using Google Cardboard as support. The SUDS and SSQ questionnaires were used before and after each intervention and the SSPS to assess the effectiveness of the protocol. Although no significant correlations were identified in this study (p>0.2), 42.5% (n = 17) of the participants reduced the negative SSPS scale score at the end of the intervention, while 32.5% (n = 13) maintained the same score. Further studies are needed to assess the effectiveness of interventions using VR autonomously for symptoms of social anxiety, especially considering more robust methodological designs with a control group and follow- up.

 

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Published

2024-06-28