Treatment of Social Phobia with Virtual Realityand Traditional Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy: AComparative Approach
This research analyzes virtual reality exposure therapy (VERT) compared to traditional cognitive behavioral
therapy (CBT) for the treatment of social phobia, a disorder characterized by intense anxiety in social
interactions, which significantly af ects quality of life. A previous study was taken as a reference that analyzes
the ef ectiveness of VERT in patients with social phobia, which provides quantitative data on the reduction of
social anxiety using the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS). The theoretical framework reviews previous
studies that highlight the ef ectiveness of VERT in other anxiety disorders, pointing out its ability to simulate
social situations in a safe and personalized way. The current limitations of traditional therapies in patients with
high sensitivity to direct exposure are also addressed. In addition, five patients who received treatment under the
traditional CBT approach were evaluated, applying the LSAS in the treatment process. The results obtained
from these patients were compared with the data from the existing study. VERT showed a greater reduction in
social anxiety levels, especially in situations related to social interaction. simulated interaction, suggesting that
this approach may overcome certain limitations of traditional treatment, the findings indicate that VERT is a
promising tool for treating social phobia, highlighting its advantages such as gradual and controlled exposure
in simulated environments and its ability to personalize treatment according to the patient's needs, this supports
its implementation as a complement or alternative to CBT in future therapeutic protocols.
Copyright (c) 2024 Publicaciones e Investigación
