The effect of virtual reality exposure therapy on focus of attention, self-criticism, and interpretation bias in university students with social anxiety

BACKGROUND: The present research aims to investigate the effectiveness of virtual reality exposure therapy on the focus of attention, self-criticism, and interpretation bias among university students with social anxiety. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present research was conducted using quasi-experimental research with pre-test and post-test control group design. The participants were university students aged between 10 and 30 years old who had visited Isfahan counseling centers in 1399 HS. Among 53 patients referred to the counseling centers, 30 were randomly selected by convenience sampling and then assigned to an experimental group (15 individuals) and a control group (15 individuals). The experimental group received eight sessions of 30-minute and face-to-face virtual reality-based interventions. In contrast, the control group remained on the waiting list. A structured clinical interview and Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN) were used to select and screen students, and the Focus of Attention Questionnaire (FAQ), Levels of Self-Criticism Scale (LOSC), and revised interpretation bias inventory were applied for the pre-test and the post-test. Then, all the data were analyzed by a statistical analysis of covariance. RESULTS: The results showed that virtual reality exposure therapy significantly reduces the symptoms of the focus of attention, self-criticism, and interpretation bias in the experimental group compared to the control group. (P < 0/01). CONCLUSION: The research showed that virtual reality exposure therapy reduced the symptoms of social anxiety. Therefore, this method can be applied to reduce some symptoms of social anxiety in university students.