Enhancing the efficacy and user experience of virtual reality exposure therapy for social anxiety disorder: A pilot study.

This article focuses on the development and pilot evaluation of a Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) program designed to reduce social anxiety disorder (SAD) symptoms within a Thai, developing country context. The study involved two phases: testing with the general population and with individuals clinically diagnosed with SAD, measuring social anxiety, depression, anxiety, and stress before, immediately after, and two weeks post-intervention using standardized scales including the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale (SIAS) and the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21). Results indicated significant immediate reductions in social anxiety for both groups, though individuals with SAD showed a rebound in anxiety at two weeks, while the general population maintained improvements; the VRET software was rated satisfactory for usability, safety, and acceptability based on the Virtual Reality Neuroscience Questionnaire (VRNQ). The study concludes that VRET is a feasible and promising adjunct treatment for SAD in resource-limited settings but recommends further research with larger samples, repeated sessions, and enhanced software features tailored to cultural and individual needs to improve long-term efficacy.