Comparing effectiveness of virtual reality therapy and mindfulness-acceptance therapy on attention focus and social anxiety symptoms

The purpose of this study was to evaluate effectiveness of virtual reality therapy and mindfulness-acceptance therapy on attention focus and social anxiety symptoms among social anxiety patients who referred to counseling centers of Tehran City.

This semi-experimental study with pretest-posttest design was done on social anxiety patients. The sample consisted of 30 social anxiety patients who referred to counseling centers of Tehran City in summer and autumn 2018. Diagnosis of social anxiety disorder was based on clinical interview and social phobia inventory (SPIN). They and were selected through available sampling and then randomly assigned to two experimental groups (each 15 patients). Attention focus questionnaire and social phobia inventory (SPIN) was used for data gathering in the pre- and post-test. Two groups received either experience virtual reality therapy (8 sessions 20 minutes) or mindfulness-acceptance therapy (8 sessions 45 minutes).

Both virtual reality therapy and mindfulness-acceptance therapy were effective on attention focus and social anxiety symptoms. Effectiveness of virtual reality therapy and mindfulness-acceptance therapy were significantly different in attention focus. In internal attention focus, virtual reality exposure therapy and in external attention focus, mindfulness-acceptance therapy were more effective. In social anxiety symptoms, two therapies were not different.

So according to our results, virtual reality therapy and mindfulness-acceptance therapy could use for improving attention focus and treating social anxiety symptoms.