ZeroPhobia: Self-guided app-based CBT for fear of flying

Specific phobias, such as intense fear of flying, heights, and spiders, are the most common form of mental health disorders worldwide. Specific phobias have a lengthy history of clinical research and very effective exposure treatment exists (Wolitzky-Taylor et al., 2008). However, due to high costs, stigma, and long waiting lists, access to evidence-based therapy is currently limited. Meta-analyses on treatment effectiveness for people suffering from specific phobias have shown that Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) is as effective as traditional forms of exposure therapy (Marino et al., 2015; Parsons and Rizzo 2008; Powers and Emmelkamp 2008; Opris et al., 2012).
VRET, however, involves relatively high costs and limited accessibility, which rules out VRET as a treatment option for the larger part of the population. This project capitalizes on novel technology and recent scientific advances to develop an affordable treatment modality that is available for anybody, anywhere. Specifically, ZeroPhobia, a self-help VRET for aviophobia, delivered via a smartphone application (app) in combination with rudimentary cardboard Virtual Reality (VR) glasses will be developed and tested.

We hypothesize that ZeroPhobia will effectively reduce fear of flying anxiety symptoms, will be sustained at three and twelve month follow ups, and is user-friendly. We also hypothesize that VRET will be less effective for individuals who are less prone to experiencing emotional transportation and have a lowered ability to fantasize.

Measurements are taken at baseline, post-test (six weeks), and follow up (three month and 12
month).

ZeroPhobia is a 6-week, self-help VRET for fear of flying, that is delivered through a smartphone application in combination with rudimentary cardboard VR glasses. ZeroPhobia includes modules of psychoeducation, case examples, exposure through VR, cognitive techniques, monitoring of symptoms, and relapse prevention. Participants in the waitlist condition will be offered the intervention directly after post-test.