EASYHEiGHTS vs RXXRT

What is EASYHEiGHTS and what can it be used for? EASYHEiGHTS is a virtual reality (VR) app, which provides a virtual environment that helps you adjust to heights. This can help you to deal more calmly with real height situations and to feel less fear. Who is EASYHEiGHTS designed for? EASYHEiGHTS is suitable for those who suffer from a mild, clinically insignificant fear of heights and are above the age of 16. Technical requirements for using EASYHEiGHTS The EASYHEiGHTS smartphone app works in combination with wireless VR goggles, making it easy and effective for use at home. Development of EASYHEiGHTS The EASYHEiGHTS VR app is a virtual tool developed by the University of Basel to help people adjust to heights. The training uses a scientifically proven approach to reduce fear, known as exposure therapy. A drone was used to take 360° images of real locations, which create a virtual simulation of actually being at these locations. To test the effectiveness of the treatment in real-life situations, the University of Basel conducted a randomized, controlled study. All the subjects either completed four hours of VR height training with EASYHEiGHTS or were assigned to a control group. Before and after treatment, the study participants climbed the Uetliberg observation tower near Zurich as far as their fear allowed. The group that had completed the EASYHEiGHTS training exhibited 49% less fear on the tower and was able to climb higher towards the top. These effects were statistically significant and in size comparable to conventional therapy. The control group exhibited no positive changes. The publication can be found here: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41746-021-00387-7 How does EASYHEiGHTS training work? In the virtual reality environment of the EASYHEiGHTS VR app, the user stands on a platform that is initially 1 meter above the ground. After they have become accustomed to the height, the platform rises an additional meter. In this way, the person’s position above the ground slowly but steadily increases without an accompanying increase in their fear level. EASYHEiGHTS offers three scenarios (mountain landscape, forest edge, urban surroundings), providing the opportunity to become comfortable in height situations. In all three situations, the user stands on a platform that rises only when their fear at the current level allows. Each scenario has 15 levels. Initially, the platform moves up 1 meter to the next level. In the advanced levels, the height increases several meters at a time. At the final level, the platform is 75 meters above the ground. Before starting the training session, you select a scenario. Each scenario begins at the first level – 1 meter above the ground – and moves up to the next level only when your fear level allows. At each level, look down and permit your feelings of fear. When you reach the next level, you will be asked to rate your current fear level. The platform will rise only when you do not experience any or only minimal fear at that level. You cannot return to a lower level. You can stop the training at any time by taking off the VR goggles. The training is also stopped automatically after 30 minutes. EASYHEiGHTS is controlled by the direction of your gaze. The basic instructions are displayed before each training session. Who is responsible for the EASYHEiGHTS VR app, and who can I contact if necessary? University of Basel Transfaculty Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences (MCN) Birmannsgasse 8 4055 Basel Switzerland https://mcn.unibas.ch

With RXXRT we make it possible to engage in exposure therapy by making it possible for you to “Go Where You Can’t.”TM Engage in Exposure Therapy When a person has a phobia, anxiety or obsessive compulsive disorder, the gold standard treatment is exposure therapy. By working with a therapist and gradually exposing yourself to various stimuli, you work to overcome your fears and reduce your distress. Science-Based Science has proven that the more realistic the exposure, the better the response in therapy. The universal challenge in the exposure therapy field has been the ability to expose a patient to realistic scenarios. Generally, the best that a therapist and patient can do if they cannot engage in a real world (in-vivo) exposure such as touching and smelling a garbage can, is to look at a photo or video of the activity or simply imagine it happening. For example, if you have a fear of flying on an airplane it is not feasible to charter an airplane and spend the day flying with your therapist. And even if you could find a therapist willing to do this, the expense would be prohibitive. Then of course is the issue that you cannot just stop an airplane and get off if you are unable to tolerate it. Go Where You Can’tTM RXXRT makes it possible for you to engage in a wide range of exposures including virtually sitting on a real airplane flight from the comfort of your therapist’s office or even your own home during a teletherapy session. If the distress is too much, you can just stop. Or how about the full experience of walking through an airport terminal, waiting for your flight, boarding the plane, taking off, using the tiny bathroom and landing? All of that is possible with RXXRT. And it’s not just airplanes. We continue to add new videos to the library so that you can experience driving over tall bridges, snow skiing, holding a snake, using a filthy bathroom, etc. Connect with your Exposure Therapist The RXXRT app allows you and your therapist to connect through the app (with your prior approval), and share any photo or video from the ever-expanding exposure library. In fact, your therapist can use our Intelligent Exposures AI to generate a new image on the spot if there is no current library image available for your specific need. During session, your therapist can see what you see so they are better able to guide you in therapy. And your therapist can add, change and even start and stop images remotely from their own computer. How do I Find an Exposure Therapist? If you do not have an exposure therapist and wish to work with one, simply browse the directory of exposure therapists at www.rxxrt.com. How Can My Therapist And I Use RXXRT Together? If your therapist does not currently have an account at www.rxxrt.com, they simply need to visit that website and register. Patients will also need to establish a free account on the website for enhanced live videoconferencing with their therapist during an exposure session. In most cases, your therapist will establish this account for you. Do Your Homework When you are not actively engaged in a therapy session, your therapist can populate your personal exposure library so that images are available for you to access on your own without your therapist’s intervention. When you do your homework, your progress increases and ultimately may reduce the number of sessions you need to engage in with your therapist. Is My Data Safe? Yes. RXXRT is HIPAA compliant. Better yet, you are never asked for any personally identifying information and none is stored in the RXXRT system. You will need an email address and password to log into the system but we encourage you to generate a unique non-identifying email address to use for this purpose. This enhances your anonymity on our already HIPAA protected site.