CompletedNot Applicable

Diaphragmatic Breathing During Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for Aviophobia

30 participantsStarted 2014-01

Plain-language summary

The study investigated the effect of diaphragmatic breathing as an additional coping strategy during Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy in patients with aviophobia. The authors assumed that diaphragmatic breathing (DB) would lead to less fear and physiological arousal during the VRET and to an enhanced treatment outcome

Who can participate

Age range

20 Years – 65 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * age 20 to 65 * flying experience * subjective rating of fear of flying \> 60 from 100 Exclusion Criteria: * pregnancy * heart disease * current involvement in psychotherapy and/or pharmacotherapy

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1This trial combined diaphragmatic breathing with virtual reality exposure therapy for fear of flying — is this kind of combined approach something you think would be appropriate to discuss for my situation, given what's available now that the study is completed?
2Since this trial measured changes using the Fear of Flying Scale, can you help me understand what those kinds of outcome measures actually mean in terms of real-world improvement — like being able to board a plane?
3The trial is listed as Phase NA, which often means it's a behavioral or psychological intervention rather than a drug study — does that change what we know about its safety profile, and are there any risks I should still be aware of with virtual reality exposure therapy?
4Now that this study is completed, has the evidence it produced been strong enough to support diaphragmatic breathing combined with VR therapy as a recommended treatment, or would a more established approach like traditional cognitive behavioral therapy be worth considering first?
5Are there similar or follow-up studies, or even clinics offering VR-based exposure therapy for fear of flying, that I could look into based on what this trial found?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Change in FFS (Fear of Flying Scale) scores

Timeframe: immediately before the exposure session, immediately after the exposure session, immediately before the test session (which took place one week after the exposure session), immediately after the test session, in a follow up (one year later)

Trial details

NCT IDNCT02990208

SponsorUniversity of Regensburg

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2015-10

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Fear of Flying trials