Advanced Wireless Augmented Reality-Enhanced Exposure Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Traditional exposure therapy (ET) includes the following components: (a) psychological education about trauma (sessions 1 and 2), (b) repeated in vivo exposure to trauma-related stimuli (in vivo exercises are assigned as homework during sessions 3 through 9), (c) repeated, prolonged, imaginal exposure to traumatic memories (imaginal exposure is implemented during sessions 3 - 9; patients listen to session audiotapes for homework between sessions), and (d) relapse prevention strategies and further treatment planning (session 10).

The Augmented Reality Exposure Therapy component includes the following: (a) 60-minute sessions dedicated to augmented reality exposure therapy (ARET; sessions 1-10), (b) repeated in vivo exposure to trauma-related stimuli (in vivo exercises are assigned as homework during sessions 3 through 9), and (c) relapse prevention strategies and further treatment planning (session 10). During ARET, the clinician guides participant, who is wearing augmented reality (AR) goggles, through preset scenarios during which characters mingle with each other (e.g., grocery store, social gathering), as well as custom scenarios where participant can interact with the character. Those who do not respond to treatment (i.e., responders defined as PCL score reduction of at least 12 points and final PCL score below 33) will then subsequently participate in 10 60-minute sessions of traditional exposure therapy (ET) identical to procedures described for the traditional ET arm.