A comparative study on the effectiveness of virtual reality and cognitive behavioral therapies on ailurophobia and rumination in people with ailurophobia

Abstract

This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of virtual reality therapy (VRT) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) on ailurophobia and rumination in people with ailurophobia. This study utilized a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest research design and a 1-month follow-up period with an experimental group implementing two methods, VRT and CBT, and a control group. The statistical population consisted of all people with ailurophobia in Isfahan in the summer and autumn of 2020. The sample size was determined at 30 people using the convenience sampling method. They were randomly divided into three groups: VRT, CBT, and Control. Measurement tools included Nolen-Hoeksema and Moro's 24-item Ruminative Response Scale (2008) and a 10-item researcher-made ailurophobia questionnaire. VRT and CBT methods were implemented in 8 sessions of 30 minutes and 9 sessions of 90 minutes, respectively, for two months for two experimental groups. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA). The results showed no significant difference (p<0.05) between VRT and CBT in terms of effectiveness on ailurophobia and rumination in people with ailurophobia.