The Efficacy of XRET Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy in Treating Ailurophobia: A Clinical Study with One-Month Follow-Up

This study examined the effectiveness of XRET, a virtual reality exposure therapy device, in treating individuals suffering from ailurophobia (Fear of Cat). Thirty female participants aged ۲۱ to ۶۶, all diagnosed with specific phobia of cats, were recruited from Setareh Iranian Clinic, Tehran, Iran. Over ten sessions, participants experienced gradual and controlled virtual exposure to cats, ranging from distant observation to physical interaction. Measures included the Severity Measure for Specific Phobia, physiological heart rate during exposure, and follow-up assessments one-month post-treatment. The results indicated a statistically significant reduction in phobia severity and heart rate levels after the intervention. Furthermore, follow-up data revealed that therapeutic gains were largely maintained after one month, supporting the long-term effectiveness of the XRET protocol in treating animal phobias.

کلیدواژه ها:

Ailurophobia ، Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) ، Specific Phobia ، VR-based Therapy ، XRET System