VR-Based Exposure Therapy for Acrophobia: Effects of Visual Realism and Interactivity

Abstract

Acrophobia, the intense fear of heights, affects a significant portion of the global population. Traditional therapeutic approaches, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), have been supplemented by emerging technological solutions like Virtual Reality (VR). This paper explores the role of VR-based visual imagery in treating acrophobia. We examine the use of immersive environments, integration of multi-sensory stimuli, and how images in VR are designed to elicit controlled exposure therapy outcomes. Additionally, the paper discusses the impact of realism, scaling, and interactivity of VR-generated images on patient treatment efficacy. VR-based acrophobia treatment, particularly when leveraging realistic images and immersive environments, represents a promising advancement in therapeutic techniques for phobia management.