Efficacy of Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for Driving Phobia: A Multiple Baseline Across-Subjects Design

A multiple baseline across-subjects design was used to examine the efficacy of virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) to treat driving phobia. The treatment consisted of 8 weekly graded VRET sessions. Using self-monitoring and interview measures, treatment efficacy was examined across 5 participants. Three participants had reductions in driving phobia symptoms, while there was little change in the remaining individuals. VRET did not result in an increase of actual driving frequency for any of the participants. Some gains were lost at the 1and 3-month follow-up, particularly for the participants who showed weaker treatment responses. Four individuals completed the 1-year follow-up and their symptoms remained largely unchanged. Given the modest treatment outcome and lack of generalization to actual driving behavior, VRET may be most useful as a supplement or preparatory intervention for in vivo exposure, rather than a stand-alone intervention.