Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) has been shown to be an effective technique for reducing social anxiety. People who stutter are at greater risk of developing heightened social anxiety. Cognitive behavior therapy protocols have shown promise in reducing social anxiety in people who stutter, but no studies have investigated VRET targeting social anxiety associated with stuttering. The aim of the current review is to provide an overview of VRET techniques used to treat social anxiety and insights into how VRET might be adopted in the case of comorbid stuttering and social anxiety. Twelve studies were reviewed to understand key distinctions in VRET protocols used to treat social anxiety. Distinctions include exercises targeting public speaking vs. general social anxiety, computer-generated virtual environments vs. 360 video, and therapist guided vs. automated VRET. An overview of wider research questions surrounding VRET is then presented to aid the understanding of treatment success and outline important directions for future research. Based on the review findings, suggestions are made regarding VRET design for stuttering. In sum, VRET should be tailored to situations and cognitive-behavioral processes that underlie the experience of social anxiety amongst people who stutter, with automated VRET using a virtual therapist a potentially suitable format for delivering treatment.
Meta-analysis of virtual reality exposure therapy for social anxiety disorder
