Feasibility trial of virtual reality exposure therapy for selective mutism

Author:

Tan Yi Ren1ORCID,Ooi Yoon Phaik2,Ang Rebecca P3,Goh Dion H4,Kwan Clare1,Fung Daniel SS1,Sung Sharon C15

Affiliation:

1. Department of Developmental Psychiatry, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore

2. Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Psychology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland

3. Psychology and Child & Human Development Academic Group, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

4. Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

5. Health Services & Systems Research, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore

Abstract

Virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) has been commonly utilised as an extension of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). However, most studies examined its effectiveness among adults, with no study focusing on children with selective mutism (SM). We aimed to examine its feasibility and acceptability among children with SM. Twenty children aged 6–12 with SM diagnosis were recruited and completed six therapist-guided VRET sessions. Parents and clinicians completed measures at pre-VRET, post-VRET, 1-month and 3-month follow-up visits. At post-VRET, parent and child participants completed the acceptability questionnaires. Findings suggested the feasibility of VRET as all participants completed the programme with no attrition. Parents and child participants also reported VRET to be an acceptable and effective treatment for SM. Significant improvement in overall functioning were found at post-treatment and follow-up measures, but there were no significant changes in parent-rated speech frequency and anxiety measures. These support the acceptability of VRET as an adjunct modality (and not substitute) of CBT in SM treatment. Future studies, with more robust experimental designs and larger sample sizes, can be conducted to confirm its efficacy. As technology becomes more sophisticated, tools such as virtual environments can be explored to enhance evidence-based care for children and their families.

Funder

NTU-NHG Innovation Seed Grant

Publisher

SAGE Publications

Subject

Psychiatry and Mental health,Clinical Psychology,General Medicine,Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health

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