CompletedNot Applicable

A Preliminary Study on the Intervention Effect of Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy on Fear of Flying

China64 participantsStarted 2023-05-19

Plain-language summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to explore the efficacy of VR exposure intervention in alleviating fear of flying through a randomized controlled study.

Who can participate

Age range

18 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: * The flight anxiety situations questionnaire (FAS) score is no less than 56 points (the critical value is set as two or more standard deviations higher than the average of the normal population); * Aged between 18 and 65 years old; * Have normal intelligence and good or corrected vision; * No family history of any mental illness or other mental disorders other than anxiety disorder; * Currently not receiving any treatment for phobia, including but not limited to taking psychotropic drugs (unless the dose is stable for more than 3 months, and the subject agrees to continue taking the dose throughout the study); * Have at least 1 flight experience; Exclusion Criteria: * The participant cannot tolerate or adapt to VR stimulation; * The participant was unable to immerse themselves well in the VR environment; * Severe physical diseases and physical diseases induced by stimulation, including cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, etc.; * Have a history of neurological diseases (such as epilepsy, cerebrovascular accident, etc.) or brain trauma or brain surgery; * The subject suffers from a physical disease and is not in a stable treatment period (such as hyperthyroidism, visual impairment, etc.), resulting in the inability to fully participate in the experimental process; * Pregnant women.

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 used something called the Flight Anxiety Situations Questionnaire to measure results — can you help me understand what that score actually means and whether my own fear of flying would be captured by that kind of measure?
2Since this was labeled a 'preliminary study,' what does that tell us about how much we can trust the findings, and would you consider the evidence strong enough to recommend virtual reality exposure therapy for me right now?
3The trial is already completed — do you know if the results have been published anywhere, and what did they actually show about whether VR therapy helped reduce fear of flying?
4How does virtual reality exposure therapy compare to other treatments I could access today, like traditional in-person exposure therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy, for fear of flying?
5Are there any people — based on the type or severity of their fear of flying — for whom this kind of VR approach might not be a good fit, and how would you assess whether that applies to me?

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

Flight Anxiety Situations Questionnaire(FAS)

Timeframe: from baseline to 4 weeks

Trial details

NCT IDNCT06085768

SponsorShanghai Mental Health Center

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2023-06-09

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Fear of Flying trials

Who can participate

Age range

18 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.