This study attempts to test wether a VR-supported trance induction and a subsequent exposure to altitude in VR with hypnotic suggestions via Audio reduces acrophobia more than a control-group intervention without trance induction. Furthermore the study attempts to test if three sessions of the interventions within three weeks can lead to a stronger reduction of acrophobia than only one session. Participants will be selected via an online survey according to their score on the Height Interpersonal Questionnaire (HIQ). At the start of the study, participants will be screened by professional clinicians for any mental disorders. In the laboratory they will undergo one of the two interventions in VR (experimental group / control group) and complete questionnaires for three times within three weeks. On a separate day within these three weeks they will be placed in a 30-minute trance to test their suggestibility.
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AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Height intervention questionnaire (immediately before the intervention)
Timeframe: Immediately (circa 1 minute) before the height exposure in all three sessions
Height intervention questionnaire (immediately after the intervention)
Timeframe: Immediately (circa 1 minute) after the height exposure in all three sessions
Height intervention questionnaire (one-week-follow-up)
Timeframe: One week after the third height exposure
Height intervention questionnaire (three-months-follow-up)
Timeframe: Three months after the third height exposure
Subjective fear rating during height exposure
Timeframe: always 5 seconds after each rise in the height exposure in all three sessions
Harvard Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility (german brief form HGHSH-5)
Timeframe: at a separate day within the three weeks, where the interventions take place