Personalized virtual reality exposure for panic disorder and agoraphobia: A preliminary neurophysiological study

Personalization is considered an important principle in virtual reality (VR) exposure therapy. We aimed to identify whether personalized VR exposure could provoke increased anxiety in patients with panic disorder and agoraphobia as it is considered the first step in successful treatment for anxiety.

We performed a double-arm, one-day preliminary study among 28 patients with panic disorder and agoraphobia. Three sessions of VR exposure, including a theater, train, and elevator scenario, were conducted in two groups. In the personalized group (n = 14), the brightness and crowd density were customized based on a pre-assessment. In the control group (n = 14), these conditions were fully randomized. Self-reported anxiety, heart rate, skin conductance, and electroencephalography were measured before, during, and after the VR sessions.

In the later VR sessions, higher self-reported anxiety levels measured by the Visual Analogue Scale were observed in the personalized exposure group. Increased heart rates during and after the VR sessions were observed in the personalized group. The changes in skin conductance peaks were not significantly different between the groups, but the increase in skin conductance was associated with the participants' perception of presence. The electroencephalogram showed widespread increases in alpha waves in the frontal and temporal areas of the brain in the personalized group than in the control group.

Personalized VR exposure elicits stronger anxiogenic effects in patients with panic disorder and agoraphobia as suggested by self-report and neurophysiological data. Personalization of VR exposure has the potential for effective behavioral therapy.