no Interaction VRETNCT07437872
Testing Mechanisms of Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for Social Anxiety
A study testing ExpandXR in people with no Interaction VRET and Scripted Interactions VRET, run by Palo Alto University at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
The purpose of this study is to test mechanisms and processes of virtual reality and augmented reality exposure therapy for social anxiety. There is substantial evidence that virtual reality exposure therapy is an effective treatment for social anxiety. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- no Interaction VRET, Scripted Interactions VRET, Fully Customized Interactions VRET
- What is being tested?
- ExpandXR
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 45 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 24 Feb 2026to 1 Mar 2028
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Individuals at least 18 years of age
- Located in the U.S. with sufficient proximity to Mountain View Campus to attend in person visit(s).
- Able to give consent
- Social Anxiety Disorder based on Structured Clinical Interview AND/OR self-report score cutoff (LSAS > 47).
Who cannot join
- Current Alcohol or Substance Use Disorder (based on self-report)
- Current or prior psychotic related or bipolar disorder (based on self-report)
- Unstable psychotropic medication (starting/stopping medication in past 6 weeks based on selfreport)
- Current cognitive behavioral therapy for social anxiety
- Impaired vision such that cannot see in VR headset without glasses (contacts okay)
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
United States1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Palo Alto University Mountain View Campus
Palo Alto, California, 94304
Mikael Rubin, PhD, 650-433-3805, mrubin@paloaltou.edu
Mikael Rubin, PhD
About this study
The purpose of this study is to test mechanisms and processes of virtual reality and augmented reality exposure therapy for social anxiety. There is substantial evidence that virtual reality exposure therapy is an effective treatment for social anxiety. However, it can be difficult to access treatment that needs to be conducted in person. Tests of self-guided (without therapist assistance) virtual reality exposure therapy have had mixed efficacy and tests of augmentation offer an important method to optimize brief interventions. The study objectives are to test a wide range of possible mechanisms and approaches (ranging from single sessions in person to remotely conducted virtual reality exposure therapy) in order to advance the field. The broadness of the proposed research is to provide multiple avenues for inquiry per discussion with IRB chair Dr. Kuo. Depending on the specific line of inquiry some variations will be documented (e.g., multiple consent forms for answering different sub questions of the primary questions listed below).
- Being tested
- ExpandXR
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
ExpandXRBehavioural
An Mixed Reality Exposure Therapy platform for the Apple Vision Pro
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| no interaction Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy | Active comparator | Not described Receives: Behavioral: ExpandXR |
| structured interaction Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy | Experimental | Not described Receives: Behavioral: ExpandXR |
| personalized interaction Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy | Experimental | Not described Receives: Behavioral: ExpandXR |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale Self Report Version
The Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale Self Report Version is a 48-item self-report measure of fear and avoidance concerning social interactions and performance situations (e.g., telephoning in public, talking to people in authority). The range of scores is 0-144; higher scores are worse.
Measured: Baseline
Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale Self Report Version
The Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale Self Report Version is a 48-item self-report measure of fear and avoidance concerning social interactions and performance situations (e.g., telephoning in public, talking to people in authority). The range of scores is 0-144; higher scores are worse.
Measured: 21 days
Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale Self Report Version
The Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale Self Report Version is a 48-item self-report measure of fear and avoidance concerning social interactions and performance situations (e.g., telephoning in public, talking to people in authority). The range of scores is 0-144; higher scores are worse.
Measured: 51 days
Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale Self Report Version
The Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale Self Report Version is a 48-item self-report measure of fear and avoidance concerning social interactions and performance situations (e.g., telephoning in public, talking to people in authority). The range of scores is 0-144; higher scores are worse.
Measured: 111 days
Personal Report of Communication Apprehension (PRCA)
The Personal Report of Communication Apprehension is a 24-item that assesses anxiety related to speaking in a variety of situation. The range of scores is 24-120; higher scores are worse.
Measured: Baseline
Personal Report of Communication Apprehension (PRCA)
The Personal Report of Communication Apprehension is a 24-item that assesses anxiety related to speaking in a variety of situation. The range of scores is 24-120; higher scores are worse.
Measured: 21 days
Personal Report of Communication Apprehension (PRCA)
The Personal Report of Communication Apprehension is a 24-item that assesses anxiety related to speaking in a variety of situation. The range of scores is 24-120; higher scores are worse.
Measured: 51 days
Personal Report of Communication Apprehension (PRCA)
The Personal Report of Communication Apprehension is a 24-item that assesses anxiety related to speaking in a variety of situation. The range of scores is 24-120; higher scores are worse.
Measured: 111 days
Secondary outcomes (4)
Speech Anxiety Thoughts Inventory
The Speech Anxiety Thoughts Inventory is a 23-item self-report measure of assessing the intensity of belief in maladaptive, negative thoughts categorized into two main factors: prediction of poor performance and fear of negative evaluation by the audience. The range of scores is 23-115 with higher scores reflecting greater endorsement of maladaptive thoughts.
Measured: Baseline
Speech Anxiety Thoughts Inventory
The Speech Anxiety Thoughts Inventory is a 23-item self-report measure of assessing the intensity of belief in maladaptive, negative thoughts categorized into two main factors: prediction of poor performance and fear of negative evaluation by the audience. The range of scores is 23-115 with higher scores reflecting greater endorsement of maladaptive thoughts.
Measured: 21 days
Speech Anxiety Thoughts Inventory
The Speech Anxiety Thoughts Inventory is a 23-item self-report measure of assessing the intensity of belief in maladaptive, negative thoughts categorized into two main factors: prediction of poor performance and fear of negative evaluation by the audience. The range of scores is 23-115 with higher scores reflecting greater endorsement of maladaptive thoughts.
Measured: 51 days
Speech Anxiety Thoughts Inventory
The Speech Anxiety Thoughts Inventory is a 23-item self-report measure of assessing the intensity of belief in maladaptive, negative thoughts categorized into two main factors: prediction of poor performance and fear of negative evaluation by the audience. The range of scores is 23-115 with higher scores reflecting greater endorsement of maladaptive thoughts.
Measured: 111 days
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted27 Feb 2026
- Study start24 Feb 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion1 Feb 2028 (estimated)
- Study completion1 Mar 2028 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for no Interaction VRETStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 45 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Palo Alto University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Mikael Rubin, Palo Alto University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07437872
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2025-077-PAU
- Status last verified
- Mar 2026
- First submitted
- 20 Feb 2026
- Last updated
- 4 Mar 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 4 Mar 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Testing Mechanisms of Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for Social Anxiety
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07437872
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 2025-077-PAU
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 45 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Palo Alto UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 24 Feb 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 1 Feb 2028 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 1 Mar 2028 (estimated)
- First posted
- 27 Feb 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The purpose of this study is to test mechanisms and processes of virtual reality and augmented reality exposure therapy for social anxiety. There is substantial evidence that virtual reality exposure therapy is an effective treatment for social anxiety. However, it can be difficult to access treatment that needs to be conducted in person. Tests of self-guided (without therapist assistance) virtual reality exposure therapy have had mixed efficacy and tests of augmentation offer an important method to optimize brief interventions. The study objectives are to test a wide range of possible mechanisms and approaches (ranging from single sessions in person to remotely conducted virtual reality exposure therapy) in order to advance the field. The broadness of the proposed research is to provide multiple avenues for inquiry per discussion with IRB chair Dr. Kuo. Depending on the specific line of inquiry some variations will be documented (e.g., multiple consent forms for answering different sub questions of the primary questions listed below).
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| no interaction Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy | Active comparator | Behavioral: ExpandXR |
| structured interaction Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy | Experimental | Behavioral: ExpandXR |
| personalized interaction Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy | Experimental | Behavioral: ExpandXR |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Individuals at least 18 years of age
- Located in the U.S. with sufficient proximity to Mountain View Campus to attend in person visit(s).
- Able to give consent
- Social Anxiety Disorder based on Structured Clinical Interview AND/OR self-report score cutoff (LSAS > 47).
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Current Alcohol or Substance Use Disorder (based on self-report)
- Current or prior psychotic related or bipolar disorder (based on self-report)
- Unstable psychotropic medication (starting/stopping medication in past 6 weeks based on selfreport)
- Current cognitive behavioral therapy for social anxiety
- Impaired vision such that cannot see in VR headset without glasses (contacts okay)
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| ExpandXRAn Mixed Reality Exposure Therapy platform for the Apple Vision Pro | Behavioural | no interaction Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy, personalized interaction Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy, structured interaction Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy |
Primary outcome
Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale Self Report Version
Time frame: Baseline
The Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale Self Report Version is a 48-item self-report measure of fear and avoidance concerning social interactions and performance situations (e.g., telephoning in public, talking to people in authority). The range of scores is 0-144; higher scores are worse.
Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale Self Report Version
Time frame: 21 days
The Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale Self Report Version is a 48-item self-report measure of fear and avoidance concerning social interactions and performance situations (e.g., telephoning in public, talking to people in authority). The range of scores is 0-144; higher scores are worse.
Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale Self Report Version
Time frame: 51 days
The Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale Self Report Version is a 48-item self-report measure of fear and avoidance concerning social interactions and performance situations (e.g., telephoning in public, talking to people in authority). The range of scores is 0-144; higher scores are worse.
Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale Self Report Version
Time frame: 111 days
The Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale Self Report Version is a 48-item self-report measure of fear and avoidance concerning social interactions and performance situations (e.g., telephoning in public, talking to people in authority). The range of scores is 0-144; higher scores are worse.
Personal Report of Communication Apprehension (PRCA)
Time frame: Baseline
The Personal Report of Communication Apprehension is a 24-item that assesses anxiety related to speaking in a variety of situation. The range of scores is 24-120; higher scores are worse.
Personal Report of Communication Apprehension (PRCA)
Time frame: 21 days
The Personal Report of Communication Apprehension is a 24-item that assesses anxiety related to speaking in a variety of situation. The range of scores is 24-120; higher scores are worse.
Personal Report of Communication Apprehension (PRCA)
Time frame: 51 days
The Personal Report of Communication Apprehension is a 24-item that assesses anxiety related to speaking in a variety of situation. The range of scores is 24-120; higher scores are worse.
Personal Report of Communication Apprehension (PRCA)
Time frame: 111 days
The Personal Report of Communication Apprehension is a 24-item that assesses anxiety related to speaking in a variety of situation. The range of scores is 24-120; higher scores are worse.
4 secondary outcomes
Speech Anxiety Thoughts Inventory
Time frame: Baseline
Speech Anxiety Thoughts Inventory
Time frame: 21 days
Speech Anxiety Thoughts Inventory
Time frame: 51 days
Speech Anxiety Thoughts Inventory
Time frame: 111 days
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 4 Mar 2026.
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing ExpandXR in people with no Interaction VRET and Scripted Interactions VRET, run by Palo Alto University at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 4 Mar 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Each site lists its own contact: choose the nearest one under Trial locations. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale Self Report Version (time frame: Baseline). The study lists 8 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 4 Mar 2026.