EXPERIMENTAL REPORT: Virtual Reality for the Psychophysiological Assessment of Phobic Fear: Responses During Virtual Tunnel Driving

PEER-REVIEWED

AUTHORS: Mühlberger, A., Bülthoff, H.H., Wiedemann, G., Pauli, P.
JOURNAL: Psychological Assessment 2007; 19: 340-346.

ABSTRACT: "An overall assessment of phobic fear requires not only a verbal self-report of fear but also an assessment of behavioral and physiological responses. Virtual reality can be used to simulate realistic (phobic) situations and therefore should be useful for inducing emotions in a controlled, standardized way. Verbal and physiological fear reactions were examined in 15 highly tunnel-fearful and 15 matched control participants in 3 virtual driving scenarios: an open environment, a partially open tunnel (gallery), and a closed tunnel. Highly tunnel-fearful participants were characterized by elevated fear responses specifically during tunnel drives as reflected in verbal fear ratings, heart rate reactions, and startle responses. Heart rate and fear ratings differentiated highly tunnel-fearful from control participants with an accuracy of 88% and 93%, respectively. Results indicate that virtual environments are valuable tools for the assessment of fear reactions and should be used in future experimental research."

SUMMARY: Most treatments for phobia involve some kind of counter conditioning. That is being placed in the feared situation, usually starting with low intensity, and replacing feelings of fear with feelings of relaxation. As the authors note, placing driving in a feared situation such as driving in a tunnel, is neither easy nor particularly safe.

This study further developed a virtual reality system as a fully controlled and safe substitute for real driving. The study shows that those with a specific fear of driving in tunnels did become more fearful during periods of simulation of tunnel driving, but not during open driving (there was also a control group that did not become afraid at all). this suggests that virtual reality systems may, in the future, have a useful role in treating driving phobias.

Fearfulness was measured from self-report, but also heart rate, and skin conductivity. Self report was the most useful measure, followed by heart rate with which it was moderately correlated. Skin conductivity was, well a bit rubbish all round.

MY THOUGHTS: This is all very nice... but can we move along with using it for actual treatments?

Mühlberger, A., Bülthoff, H., Wiedemann, G., & Pauli, P. (2007). Virtual reality for the psychophysiological assessment of phobic fear: Responses during virtual tunnel driving. Psychological Assessment, 19 (3), 340-346 DOI: 10.1037/1040-3590.19.3.340

See also:
Efficacy of virtual reality exposure therapy to treat driving phobia: a case report

Psychosocial sequelae of motor vehicle collisions: a follow-up study

AUTHORS: Vingilis E, Larkin E, Stoduto G, Parkinson-Heyes A, McLellan B.
JOURNAL: Accident; Analysis and Prevention, 1996

ABSTRACT: One-hundred-and-forty-nine motor vehicle collision trauma victims were interviewed one year after discharge from a Regional Trauma Unit. Follow-up data indicated major post trauma problems such depression, anxiety, family stress, financial problems and driving fears. Almost 40% reported drinking driving after the crash with a greater proportion of alcohol (blood alcohol content) positive drivers engaging in drinking driving than blood alcohol content negative drivers. Notably, almost 16% of the blood alcohol content positive and 13% of the blood alcohol content negative reported involvement in another crash in the year since discharge.. [Abstract here; Keywords: Canada; Trauma; Motor vehicle injuries; Alcohol; Sequelae; Psychosocial ]

SUMMARY: A Canadian study of 149 people who suffered injuries (requiring hospital treatment) from a car crash found that 25-50% had post-traumatic problems as a result. One third experienced driving anxiety and 1/4 fear of cars. After one year 16% had not resumed driving. Driving who had no blood alcohol at the time of their crash were more likely to develop fear of driving and take longer to resume driving.

MY THOUGHTS: The consequences of traumatic crashes are often diverse and serious, often including severe driving anxiety.

TAKE HOME MESSAGE: It seems driving anxiety is a relatively common result of a driving accident resulting in trauma. Although it is not clear what proportion of people suffering from driving anxiety develop it as a result of a crash.