SNACSpatial Computing Device with AR/VR for Needle Phobia Exposure Therapy

This study focuses on needle phobia and Blood-Injection-Injury phobia, fears that can affect children, teens, and adults during medical or surgical procedures involving needles. These fears can cause difficulties in care, affecting a person's ability to participate in or receive necessary treatments. Current treatments for these phobias in children and teens are limited, and using medications to manage needle phobia can lead to additional medical complications without addressing the root cause. The study aims to explore the use of Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (XRET) in children and teens, as recent advancements in technology, like spatial computing and Mixed Reality devices, may enhance engagement and effectiveness of the treatment. The study will evaluate the effectiveness of XRET for children and teens with needle and Blood-Injection-Injury phobias undergoing procedures at LPCH and Stanford Hospital. Participants will undergo XRET, and the study will measure changes in anxiety symptoms related to these phobias. The study will use a validated tool called the APA severity Measure for Specific Phobia (APA-SMS) to assess symptom severity. This scale ranges from 0 to 40, with higher scores indicating greater phobia severity. A decrease in symptom ratings from moderate, severe, or extreme to mild or none by the end of the treatment indicates remission of symptoms.