People who are terrified of heights may be able to conquer their phobia using a virtual reality app and an inexpensive set of cardboard VR googles, a Dutch study suggests.
Study volunteers using the self-guided cognitive behavioral therapy app had improvements comparable to what patients typically achieve with an actual therapist, researchers report in JAMA Psychiatry.
The study shows “that fear of heights, or acrophobia, can be effectively treated without a therapist through our treatment delivered via smartphone application, called ZeroPhobia, in combination with basic $10 VR goggles,” said Tara Donker, an assistant professor and licensed cognitive behavioral therapist . . .
