(RUS) (Anikina & Khoze, 2023) Adolescence

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Experimental Psychology 2023. Experimental Psychology (Russia)

Vol. 16. No. 2. pp. 68-86 2023, vol. 16, no. 2, pp. 68—86
DOI: https://doi.org/10.17759/exppsy.2023160205 DOI: https://doi.org/10.17759/exppsy.2023160205
ISSN: 2072-7593 ISSN: 2072-7593
ISSN: 2311-7036 (online) I SSN: 2311-7036 (online)
INFLUENCE OF A VR PROGRAM FOR THE

CORRECTION OF NYCTOPHOBIA ON ANXIETY IN
ADOLESCENCE
ANIKINA V.G.
Moscow State Psychological and Pedagogical University (FSBEI HE MGPPU), Moscow, Russian
Federation
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7987-6595, e-mail: vegav577@mail.ru
JOSE E.G.
Moscow State Psychological and Pedagogical University (FSBEI HE MGPPU), Moscow, Russian
Federation
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9355-1693, e-mail: house.yu@gmail.com
The article presents the results of an experimental study of the level and severity of anxiety under
the influence of a VR program for the correction of nyctophobia. Two independent groups of
respondents took part in the experiment under different conditions of working with the VR program. In
the first group, the work was performed in a lighted room, in the second in the dark. Before and after
the intervention, the level and severity of anxiety in both groups was diagnosed, as well as the severity
of states of well-being, activity and mood (SAM) in the second group. Since the groups differed
statistically in all parameters studied, comparisons were made only within groups. Application of
statisticalT-Wilcoxon test allowed us to conclude that there was a significant change in the severity of
anxiety after working with the VR program in participants with a “low level” of anxiety, both in the first
and second groups. A significant decrease in anxiety occurred in the group of participants who
reported that they were afraid of the dark (n=7). This group was characterized by “low” and “medium”
levels of anxiety. Statistically significant changes in SAN indicators were not identified. This result is
explained by the fact that one-time and short-term exposure to the VR program used to correct
nyctophobia is not a factor in changing well-being, activity and mood, but is a factor in changing the
severity of anxiety.
Keywords:virtual reality, anxiety, fear, phobias, nyctophobia, correctional VR programs.
Financing.The study was carried out within the framework of the state assignment of the
Ministry Education of the Russian Federation No. 073-00110-22-02 dated 04/08/2022 “The
influence of higher-level virtual reality technologies on mental development in adolescence.”
For quotation:Anikina V.G., Jose E.G.The influence of the VR program for the correction of nyctophobia on the state
of anxiety Vogues in adolescence // Experimental psychology. 2023. Volume 16. No. 2. pp. 68-86. DOI: https://
doi.org/10.17759/exppsy.2023160205
CC BY-NC
68
Anikina VG, Khoze EG
The Influence of the VR Program for the Correction of Nyctophobia on the State of Anxiety in Adolescence
Experimental Psychology (Russia), 2023, vol. 16, no. 2
THE INFLUENCE OF THE VR PROGRAM FOR THE

CORRECTION OF NYCTOPHOBIA ON THE STATE OF
ANXIETY IN ADOLESCENCE
VERONIKA G. ANIKINA
Moscow State University of Psychology and Education, Moscow, Russia
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7987-6595, e-mail: vegav577@mail.ru
EVGENIY G. KHOZE
Moscow State University of Psychology and Education, Moscow, Russia ORCID:
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9355-1693, e-mail: house.yu@gmail.com
The article presents the results of an experimental study of the level and severity of anxiety under the influence
of a VR program for the correction of nyctophobia. The experiment involved two independent groups of respondents
in different conditions of working with the VR program. In the first group, the work was carried out in a lit room, in
the second in the dark. Before and after exposure, the level and severity of anxiety were diagnosed in both groups,
as well as the severity of states of well-being, activity and mood (WAM) in the second group. Since the groups
differed statistically in all studied parameters, comparisons were made only within the groups. The use of the
Wilcoxon T-test made it possible to conclude that there was a significant change in the severity of anxiety after
working with the VR program in participants with a “low level” of anxiety in both the first and second groups. A
significant decrease in anxiety occurred in the group of participants who reported that they were afraid of the dark
(n=7). This group was characterized by “low” and “medium” levels of anxiety. There were no statistically significant
changes in SAN scores. This result is explained by the fact that a one-time and short-term impact of the used VR
program for the correction of nyctophobia is not a factor in changing well-being, activity and mood, but it is a factor
in changing the severity of anxiety.
Keywords:virtual reality, anxiety, fear, phobias, nyctophobia, corrective VR programs.
Funding.The study was carried out within the framework of the state order of the Ministry of
Education of the Russian Federation No. 073-00110-22-02 dated 04/08/2022 “The impact of high-level
virtual reality technologies on mental development in adolescence.”
For citation:Anikina VG, Khoze EG The Influence of the VR Program for the Correction of Nyctophobia on the State
of Anxiety in Adolescence.Eksperimental'naya psihologiya = Experimental Psychology (Russia), 2023. Vol. 16, no. 2,
pp. 68-86. DOI: https://doi.org/10.17759/exppsy.2023160205 (In Russ.).
Introduction
The problem of the research is that phobic disorders occupy one of the leading places
in modern research in clinical psychology, psychiatry, counseling psychology and
psychotherapy [4; 14; 20; 26, etc.]. In the general population, neurotic phobias occur in 8-9%
of the population. During a period of relative political and economic stability in the world,
the lifetime prevalence of panic disorder ranged from 1.2 to 3.8%, agoraphobia - 6.7%; the
frequency of phobias in neuroses ranged from 15–44% of cases [26]. Thus, R. Comer notes
that about 19% of the adult population of the United States suffered from anxiety disorders
[13]. Of particular interest to psychological science is the current prevalence of anxiety-
phobic disorders and methods of correction and prevention.
69
Anikina V.G., Jose E.G.
The influence of a VR program for the correction of nyctophobia on the state of anxiety in
adolescence Experimental psychology. 2023. T. 16. No. 2
The work of a group of researchers reflected the results of a study of anxiety and
depression in the Russian population (a total of 16,877 people from 10 regions of Russia)
[29]. To assess the level of anxiety/depression, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale
(HADS), validated in Russia, was used. The study authors noted that the average overall
prevalence of elevated levels of anxiety and depression was 46.3% and 25.6%, respectively.
More than 1/3 of the elevated levels are in individuals with clinical levels of anxiety/
depression. The average level of anxiety/depression in the studied population was 7.5±0.06
and 5.1±0.04, respectively. It was noted that, with the same criteria (8+), the frequency of
increased levels of depression in our country was 25.6% in the general sample versus 23% in
comparison with the German population, and the frequency of anxiety was 46.3%, which is
more than 2 times higher than in the German study (21%). A comparative analysis of the
results obtained as part of the study with research by Norwegian scientists using the same
scale showed that 9.6% of Norwegian men and 7.6% of women aged 46–49 years old had an
increased level of depression (8+) and 14 and 19.7% - anxiety, respectively.
A systematic review of studies on the prevalence of anxiety disorders (publications
1980–2009) conducted by experts from the University of Queensland found that their
prevalence, adjusted for methodological differences, averaged 7.3% (4.8–10.9%). In the
African population, the prevalence of subclinical anxiety level averaged 5.3% (3.5–8.1%), and
in the Euro/English population it was 10.4% (7–15.5%) [30]. Studies using psychometric
scales conducted in a number of countries show that the prevalence of anxiety disorders in
general medical practice is 5-15%, while the prevalence of subsyndromal anxiety is 2 times
higher; according to some data, anxiety symptoms are observed in 28-76% of patients [ 29].
The Lancet published a meta-analysis of data on the prevalence of major depressive

and anxiety disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic in the period from January 1, 2020 to
January 29, 2021. Data were collected in Western and Central Europe, North America,
Australasia, Asia -Pacific and East Asia - in a total of 204 countries and regions. The results
show that the hypothetical (based on pre-pandemic rates) global prevalence of major
depressive disorder in 2020 was projected at 193 million people, but unfortunately increased
to 246 million people (an increase of 53.2 million people .). Predictions were justified that the
increase would be more likely to affect women (35.5 million people), as opposed to men
(17.7 million people), and young people aged about 25 years - in contrast to older people.
generations. The picture is similar in the prevalence of anxiety disorders—projections were
298 million people before the pandemic to 374 million people after [32].
A comparative analysis of scientific literature in the field of studying phobias showed

that the most pressing problems include the following.
1. The problem of differentiation of phobias according to structure, content and their connections with others.
mi psychological, psychopathological phenomena.
2. Development of new classifications of phobias, taking into account not only the clinical features
logical course, but also understanding the mechanisms of its appearance in the biological,
psychological and social aspects of determination.
3. In studying trends in expanding the range of fears, clinical
the development of “new” phobias [26]. Particular attention is required to identifying the leading
determinants that determine the appearance of phobias.
70
4. The need to improve the diagnosis of phobic disorders, taking into account
an expanding range of phobia plots.
5. Improving the treatment of phobias, in the form of developing new methods and techniques.
Deep generalizations of theoretical models within the framework of existing psychological schools are
required.
Phobias, due to their long course, frequent therapeutic resistance, and disruption of
social adaptation in a significant number of subjects, are the subject of close attention of a
wide range of specialists working with personality - psychologists, psychotherapists,
psychiatrists, anthropologists, cultural scientists, sociologists, etc.
In each scientific field, concepts such as anxiety, fear, phobia have their own emphasis of
substantive consideration and features of defining essential properties. To organize the study of
such complex psychological phenomena, it is important to take into account the theoretical
provisions of scientific psychological schools, within the framework of which models and
explanatory principles of these phenomena were developed.
It should be noted that at the moment there is a fairly large number of classifications
of phobias, some of which are included as components in the general structure of the idea
of mental disorders (the medical aspect of consideration), for example, the international
classification of diseases (ICD-10, WHO), and classifiers of individual countries, for example
in the USA (DSM-IV); others are most often represented within individual therapeutic schools
and areas.
PurposeOur research is to study the dynamics of anxiety under the influence of VR-
programs for the correction of nyctophobia.
According to ICD-10, nyctophobia is the fear of the dark, it belongs to group F 40.2
Specific (isolated phobias). In the classification of Tabachnikov and Pervy, obsessive fear of
darkness (scotophobia - synonyms: achluphobia, ligophobia), the plot of fear, belongs to the
4th group - undifferentiated phobias (Tabachnikov, Pervy, 2006).
Theoretical foundations and approaches to understanding nature

anxiety, fear and phobias
For centuries, the problem of anxiety and fear has been the subject of consideration
not only by philosophy, but also by various sciences (cultural studies, sociology, psychology,
medicine, etc.). An appeal to the philosophical foundations of solving the problem of
effective “working” with fear is determined, first of all, by a new emphasis in modern
philosophical anthropology, which involves considering fear through the prism of
understanding human nature. “Fear in philosophy is associated with the ways a person
interacts with the conditions of his existence, and therefore fear allows us to problematize
the interpretation of human nature and verify their authenticity” [25, p. 5]. This perspective
of considering fear allows us to see as broadly as possible the connections of this
phenomenon with human existence, its social and natural determinants.
In philosophical anthropology, there are three historically changing ideas about human nature,
within the framework of which an understanding of the phenomenon of fear is formed.
Thus, within the framework of the classical approach (Aristotle, F. Bacon, F. M. Voltaire,
R. Descartes, I. Kant, J. O. La Mettrie, M. Montaigne, C.-L. Montesquieu, B. Pascal, B. Spinoza,
T. Adorno, M.K. Mamardashvili, G. Marcuse, K. Popper, F. Fukuyama, J. Habermas, etc.),
already in the new European construct, a person is a “rational moral subject” -
71
educated, free and moral citizen. Such a person experiences fear from two threats:
1) the danger of leaving the cultural foundations given by humanity and defining man
limits [25, p. 41];
2) committing an act that expresses perfection or imperfection
human civil life.
For the “classical man,” overcoming fear is associated with the civil life of regulating
“passion” (affects). Regulation itself is based on knowledge of the nature of the
corresponding affect, and this removes its negative impact on a person. In general, within
the framework of the classical approach, fear requires correction and leveling on the part of
the individual and society and has negative characteristics.
Already starting from the works of G.G. Hegel, S. Kierkigaard, in European culture a
different idea of man is being formed - as a being who does not know his limits, who
discovers himself throughout his life (N. Abbagnano, M. Buber, P. P. Gaidenko, A. Camus,
S.A. Levitsky, M.K. Mamardashvili, R. May, F. Nietzsche, J.-P. Tillich, M. Unamuno, W. Frankl,
M. Heidegger, K. Jaspers and etc.). This vision of a person also determines a different idea of
fear - fear begins to be considered as a specific experience, which is expressed in the
interaction of a person with the limits of his existence (G. Hegel). Fear acquires a positive
effect for a person, reorienting him towards a breakthrough to true existence. In this
context, fear is a borderline state, indicating the “unknown”, “unrevealed”, “unpredictable”
and therefore potentially uncontrollable in a person. All this causes fear and thereby creates
a situation of choice - to be or to appear.
As part of the formation of ideas about post-non-classical man (J. Bataille, F. Guattari, J.
Deleuze, S. Zizek, P. Sloterdijk, R. Fillion, M. Foucault, B. Hofmeyer, etc.), the emphasis in his
description is on the situation loss of authenticity in a constantly changing and contradictory
world. A person is presented as a dissociated being who searches for his authenticity by
developing projects of “self-creation.” Fear points to a person as an openness, receptive to
influences, guaranteeing the integrity of his existence. Such anxiety is a condition for
independent work in cultivating a person’s own essence.
In general, the described ideas about fear and its inclusion in human existence are the
basis for the development, within the framework of leading psychological schools, not only
of new theoretical ideas about anxiety and fear, but practical methods and techniques for
working with these phenomena.
In modern psychology, the most developed models explaining anxiety and fears are
presented within the framework of Freudianism, Gestalt psychology, existential psychology
and cognitive behavioral therapy.
S. Freud paid great attention to the problem of anxiety and fear in his works. He quite
clearly indicated that anxiety and fear (phobia) are not a separate pathological mental
disorder, but are only symptoms of personality neurosis of various etymologies. The nature
of the occurrence of a phobia (fear of an object that does not pose an immediate threat) is
associated with a situation of libido dissatisfaction and the manifestation of aggressive
reactions to the object of attachment (source of satisfaction) (the form of the reaction
depends on the stage of development of the child in ontogenesis). The child in this situation
72
anxiety arises, which is overcome through symbolization and construction of an external object
that “carries” a threat. This object becomes the “source” of the phobia. Z. Freud noted that the
“assembly” of the object of a phobia is based on life experience and impressions that the child
received. The very situation that caused anxiety is repressed into the unconscious [5; 13; 14]. The
work of a psychotherapist, within the framework of psychoanalysis, is aimed at identifying the
source of primary anxiety and “working” of the individual with a traumatic situation.
Within the framework of Gestalt psychology, the central concept included in
explanatory schemes for the emergence of anxiety and fear is the concept of “contact”.
Contact is the contact of a phenomenal field in which figure and background stand out with
a personality. A person gains experience at the contact boundary [9]. In this regard, anxiety
is considered as an interruption of contact due to a decrease in energy resource (lack of
oxygen) and failure to receive a response from the environment. The task of a Gestalt
therapist when working with anxiety and fear is to restore the uniqueness of the space of
self-regulatory contact and creative adaptation of the individual.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is based on the idea of a person’s adaptation to the
environment due to the synchronized functioning of cognitive, affective, behavioral and
physiological adaptation systems, in the hierarchy of which control refers to cognitive
processes [4; 24].
Anxiety is viewed as an emotional reaction caused by automatic thoughts that are
based on core beliefs. Based on this, changing certain core beliefs can prevent the
triggering of corresponding emotional experiences. Anxiety disorder, within the framework
of cognitive behavioral therapy, is defined as a disorder of flexible switching from one
adaptive system to another, which manifests itself in an inadequate asynchronous reaction
to situations. The distortion itself is based on an overestimation of the perceived degree of
danger of a particular situation and on a person’s lack of ability to act effectively [ibid.].
The work of a psychotherapist within the framework of CBT is aimed at synchronizing the
functioning of all adaptation systems through the restructuring of deep-seated beliefs that encourage
an objective assessment of situations, reassessment of the degree of danger of a particular situation
and the formation of adaptive behavior in the individual.
In existential therapy, fear is considered from the perspective of personal potential, as
a source of understanding the limitations in revealing a person’s existence.
R. May defines anxiety as “... the experience of Being asserting itself against the
background of Non-Being. The sphere of non-existence includes everything that limits or
destroys being, for example, aggression, fatigue, boredom and, of course, death” [19, p. 9] He
assigns anxiety an important role in a person’s life, accepting it as a challenge and incentive to
clarify and resolve the underlying problem. Anxiety is “...a sign of the struggle taking place within
the individual, and an indicator that final disintegration has not yet occurred” [19, p. 306].
Within the framework of existential therapy, working with anxiety involves
understanding that “... courage lies not in the absence of fear and anxiety, but in the ability
to move on, even when experiencing fear. A constructive encounter with normal anxiety in
everyday life and in periods of crisis that require moral rather than physical courage (for
example, self-development crises in psychotherapy occurring under conditions of severe
anxiety) is accompanied by a sense of adventure. However, in other circumstances, when
the experiences of anxiety are more intense, meeting them is not accompanied by
73
pleasant sensations and can be completed only if a person shows persistence and
determination” [19, p. 306].
Within the framework of our study, the basis for interpreting the obtained empirical
data is the provisions of the cognitive-behavioral approach.
In our work, we used the procedure of short-term exposure, implemented using a VR
program for the correction of nyctophobia, which should help reduce the level of anxiety
among respondents. It should be noted that exposure therapy occupies a central place in
the cognitive-behavioral approach and is highly effective in reducing anxiety [39]. At the
same time, in the cognitive-behavioral approach there are various theoretical concepts of
exposure therapy, including inhibitory learning and the theory of emotional processing [30;
34]. The leading mechanism of emotional processing theory is the habituation that occurs as
a result of exposure, which leads to more effective therapy [34].
Using VR programs to work with phobias

It should be noted that the study of the therapeutic and correctional effects of VR in
working with anxiety and phobias is one of the current areas within the framework of
correctional work.
In 2018, Dutch researchers, Pot-Kolder RMCA, Geraets CNW, Veling W., van Beilen M.,
Staring ABP, Gijsman HJ, Delespaul PAEG, & van der Gaag M., showed in a randomized
controlled trial that supplementation VR programs added to standard treatment can reduce
paranoid thoughts and short-term anxiety in patients with psychotic disorder [41]. A review
of studies presented by Tsamitros N., Beck A., Sebold M., Schouler-Ocak M., Bermpohl F.,
Gutwinski S., noted that the VR environment can expand the possibilities of psychotherapy
for anxiety disorders. Encouraging results in the treatment of psychosis and post-traumatic
stress disorder based on virtual reality indicate the need for further research into its
effectiveness and safety [43].
Most studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of using virtual reality to support
treatment for anxiety or depression in a variety of settings and its potential as a tool for use
in clinical settings.
American researchersEncouraging results were obtained you — VR programs have
shown their effectiveness in correcting various types of anxiety[44].
Advances in this area became the basis for the emergence of a new direction of
therapy—virtual reality exposure therapy, or VRET. Within its framework, work is carried out
with a wide range of phobias and anxiety disorders (for example, rehabilitation of military
personnel with PTSD, paranoid psychosis, etc.).
By immersing the client using VR technologies in a virtual space, which in real reality is
a traumatic situation for him, the client performs exercises related to the need to control
himself in it, thereby gaining experience in controlling his fear and overcoming phobias.
Karpov O.E., Daminov V.D., Novak E.V., Mukhametova D.A. identified the following
advantages of VRET compared to other types of therapies used to work with phobias: a
higher level of safety and control over the level and intensity
74
irritants; better ensuring patient confidentiality during treatment; significant reduction in

the risk of injury to patients during treatment; the ability to adapt scenarios to the needs of
a specific patient in accordance with his expectations and capabilities; ease of repeating
specific virtual scenarios with customizable stimuli the required number of times; the ability
to reduce the number and duration of sessions due to the greater efficiency of the
generated stimuli; reducing the cost of treatment by including virtual scenarios in the
program; attractiveness for patients: some patients consider new technologies as more
effective, which increases their adherence to therapy [11].
Scientists also highlighted the disadvantages of VRET: the openness of the question of
its safety for users from the point of view of physical health; vagueness and inconsistency in
tracking head movements and the transmitted image, which may not be noticeable by the
ordinary eye, but is recorded by more subtle coordination mechanisms, causing dizziness,
motion sickness and nausea; the cost of software and hardware for VR, which is a limitation
for wider application; the need for educational programs or courses to develop skills in
using VR technologies; the skeptical attitude of some experts towards VR as computer
entertainment games [11].
As D.V. Kovpak notes, the exposure method in the format of contact with a phobic
object in a virtual environment, which the client avoids in life, effectively corrects this
condition. Fears such as fear of heights (acrophobia), spiders (arachnophobia), and
aviophobia are successfully overcome by this method [12].
The potential of VR for working with phobias is also being studied by a group of
researchers led by V.V. Selivanova [22; 23]. Evidence was obtained that the use of special VR
programs by schoolchildren reduces their general anxiety [1] and affects their state of mind
and creativity [2].
Our work poses the question: how effectively can short-term exposure to a VR
program influence the level of anxiety, activity, well-being and mood? We assume that with
the help of short-term exposure using a VR program for correcting fear of the dark
(nyctophobia), it is possible to reduce the level of anxiety in respondents in late adolescence
and early adulthood.
Methodology
The experiment, aimed at identifying the dynamics of the level of anxiety and states
(well-being, activity, mood) of the subject using a VR program for the correction of
nyctophobia, included two series with the participation of two independent groups of
respondents. Voluntary consent to participate in the experimental procedure was obtained
from the study participants.
In the first series, respondents (n₁ =45) viewed the VR program on the monitor of a
stationary PC, in a lighted room. In the second series of the experiment, study participants
(n = 30) performed the2
same procedure, but in darkness.
The experiment was carried out using two rooms, one of which was an isolated room
where a monitor was installed to demonstrate the VR program to the respondent. The
broadcast control and time control of the VR program demonstration were carried out by
the experimenter from another room using a stationary PC.
75
In the first series, before and after the experimental intervention, four parameters
were diagnosed: the level of anxiety and the degree of its severity (the Beck Anxiety Scale
method) (Beck A.) [12, p. 436]. In the second series, before and after the experimental
intervention, diagnostics were carried out using the Beck Anxiety Scale, as well as three
states - well-being, activity and mood (“Diagnostic Methodology for the Operational
Assessment of Well-Being, Activity and Mood” (SAN)) (Doskin V. A., Lavrentiev N.A.,
Miroshnikov M.P., Sharai V.B) [7, p. 36].
Study procedureconsisted of several stages:
1. Familiarization of the respondent with the instructions: “Now I will ask you to enter the room
to participate in the study. You will need to sit on a chair in front of the table, on which the
assignment forms will lie, to go through the stages of work (three stages in total). At the first
stage, you will need to fill out the first two forms, starting with personal data that will not be
disclosed. You must indicate your last name, middle name or use a pseudonym. If you use a
pseudonym, please remember it - you will need it later. Gender and date of birth must be
specified accurately. After filling out the forms, indicate your readiness to move on to the
next stage by saying loudly: “Ready for the next stage.”
Next, you need to focus your attention on the monitor screen standing in front of you
on the table. A video will be shown on the screen. Try to imagine yourself in the place of the
character in the plot. During the demonstration of the plot, using the computer mouse, it is
possible to examine the space in which the character is located. After stopping the video,
please fill out the remaining two forms and report completion of the task with the words:
“Finished the task.” If you have any questions, you can ask them to the experimenter.”
2. Filling out method forms by the study participant.

3. Viewing a VR program to correct nyctophobia. Viewing time is 2 minutes.
4. Filling out method forms.
5. Conducting a post-experimental conversation.
Conversation questions:
— Do you experience any fears at this time in your life?
— Do you, at this time in your life, experience fear of the dark?
— What impact did the program you saw have on you?
Stimulus material.The study used the VR program “Correction nyctophobia" [22]. The
program was generated in the multi-platform application for creating 3D images Unity,
characterized by a high degree of animation and interactivity. The program was
demonstrated using an Asus TP500L laptop and a Philips 243V5QHSBA (00/01) LCD monitor.
The independent variables in the study were the parameters of the subjects’ work with
the VR program. The dependent variables in the experiment were indicators of the level and
severity of anxiety, as well as states of well-being, activity and mood of the individual.
The study involved 75 university students: in the first group (n₁=45) respondents aged
from 19 to 55 years (M = 22.77; SO = 3.9), of which 33 women (73%) and 12 men (27%); in the
second group (n=30) respondents aged from 19 to 452years (M = 20.93; SO = 2.3), of which
25 were women (83%) and 5 men (17%).
76
results
The use of the Beck Anxiety Scale technique made it possible to obtain an indicator of
the level of anxiety and the degree of its severity for each of the two groups of participants
before and after the exposure procedure. For mathematical analysis of data, statistical
criteria were usedUManna-Whitney andTWilcoxon. For data processing The statistical
package Statistika 13 EN was used.
The results of the severity of the level of anxiety before and after the exposure
procedure, in percentage terms, are presented in histograms.
To resolve the issue of the possibility of comparing the indicators of the two groups
participating in the study in different series, a statistical comparison of anxiety indicators
was carried out usingU- Mann-Whitney test. The calculation results showed that these
groups are statistically different, as before (UEmp
= 503, atp≤0.05), and after (U=511,
Emp
at
p≤0.05) impact, and anxiety scores were higher in the second group. The results obtained can be
explained by a situational factor—the participants in the second group were students who
participated in the experiment before and/or after passing the exam. We believe that the
stressful examination situation influenced the state of the respondents to one degree or another.
In connection with the identified differences, it seems appropriate to consider the
results of the experiments separately for each group.
Alarm indicators in a lit room (n₁ =45).In table1 and in Fig. Figure 1 shows the
indicators (% of participants) of anxiety levels before and after exposure in a illuminated
room.
Table 1
Indicators of alarm levels in a lit room (n₁=45)
Level Short % Average % High %
(number of participants) (number of participants) (number of participants)
Before 73 (33) 22 (10) 5 (2)
After 80 (36) 17 (8) 3 (1)
Rice. 1.Anxiety levels (% of participants) before and after exposure

in a well-lit room (n₁=45)
77
In Fig. Figure 1 shows changes in the level of anxiety among participants in the first
group working in a lighted room. A statistically significant shift in the anxiety indicator at a
“low level” was obtained before and after the exposure work (T = 6, withp≤0.01). The shift in
anxiety scores for Emp
participants with an “average level” of anxiety did not change statistically
significantly. The minimum number of participants with “high level” indicators did not allow
for a statistical calculation of the shift in anxiety values. At the same time, calculation of the
shift in the anxiety indicator for group 1 as a whole showed that the VR program for
correcting nyctophobia had a significant impact on its participants (T = 66;p≤0.01) — the
level of anxiety has decreased. Emp
Anxiety indicators in a dark room (n = 30).In table2 and in2 Fig. Figure 2 shows the
indicators (% of participants) of anxiety levels before and after exposure in a dark room.(n=
thirty). 2
table 2
Group alarm level values (n=30), working
2
with a VR program
for the correction of nyctophobia in a dark room
Short % Average % High %
Level
(quantity) (quantity) (quantity)
Before 57 (17) 33 (10) 10 (3)
After 63 (19) 27 (8) 10 (3)
Rice. 2.Anxiety levels (% of participants) before and after exposure

in a dark room (n=thirty) 2
In Fig. Figure 2 shows changes in the level of anxiety among participants in the second
group working in a dark room. A statistically significant shift was obtained in participants who
were diagnosed with a “low level” of anxiety (T = 24, withp≤0.05). TheEmpshift in “average level”
anxiety values did not reach statistical significance. Calculation of the shift in the anxiety
indicator for group 2 as a whole showed that the VR program for correcting nyctophobia had a
p≤0.01) — the level of anxiety has decreased.
significant impact on its participants (T = 70.5,Emp
During the post-experimental conversation, respondents were identified who reported
that they were afraid of the dark at this period of life (n=7). Application
3
of statisticalT
-Wilkolskon test made it possible to identify a statistically significant shift in the
78
indicators of the anxiety scale after exposure in a lighted room (T = 1, at p≤0.05). In Fig.
Figure
Emp
3 shows a graph of changes in anxiety indicators among respondents who reported a
fear of the dark.
Rice. 3.Anxiety indicator before and after exposure under conditions lighted room in a
group with a fear of the dark (n=7) (1—7—participant numbers
3
studies that noted a persistent and long-term fear of the dark)
It should be noted that anxiety indicators in the group of those experiencing fear of
the dark are at a “low level” (3 people) and “medium level” (4 people). Therefore, it can be
assumed that fear of the dark does not directly determine the general level of personal
anxiety.
Indicators for “SAN” in a dark room (n = 30).Methodology "SAN"2
is aimed at
identifying the degree of expression of personality states: well-being, activity and mood. In
the second series of the experiment, when the work was carried out in a dark room, in
addition to the Beck Anxiety Scale, the SAN technique was used. Exposure effects in a dark
room are more ecologically valid, and SAN indicators change.
In Fig. Table 4 shows the average values of the SAN method scale indicators before
and after exposure.
Rice. 4.Average values of parameters of well-being, activity, mood up to and

after exposure in a dark room (n=thirty) 2
79
CalculationT-Wilcoxon test did not show statistically significant shifts in any parameter
of the diagnosed conditions. Comparing averages using tStudent's t-test also did not reveal
significant differences.
In general, it can be noted that exposure exposure using a VR program for the
correction of nyctophobia affects respondents with a low level of anxiety, causing them to
decrease its indicators.
Discussion
The results we obtained correlate with data that was obtained in various virtual reality
studies. Thus, JM Houtkamp, A. Toet, studying the emotional assessment of night time in a
virtual environment in virtual tabletop games, note that the “night” (in terms of plot) VR
program was rated as less pleasant, cozy and more intense than the “daytime” one. "
However, statistical processing of the data showed that imitation of darkness only
insignificantly affects the emotional state of the subjects [36].
In 2009, Dutch scientists conducted a study of the influence of a VR program (desktop

PCs), simulating stressful situations, on the emotional state of a person under changing
lighting conditions [41]. It was shown that darkness had no effect on the anxiety of users
included in virtual reality, even if respondents experienced acute pre-existing stress.
Scientists have concluded that decreased light levels in desktop virtual environments are not
sufficient to cause anxiety [41]. The findings are partially consistent with our data. Among
respondents working with the VR program in darkness, their state of well-being, activity and
mood did not change significantly.
It is important to note that the samples, both in the Dutch study and in our work, were
respondents who were generally not afraid of the dark. This allows us to conclude that VR
programs (on a PC) with varying darkness intensity do not cause anxiety among
respondents, i.e., they are not a source of inducing this emotion.
Analysis of the data obtained in our study revealed that the impact of the correctional
VR program significantly reduced anxiety scores in those participants whose anxiety was at a
low level, and a downward trend in those who had it at “ medium" and "high" levels.
The work of Toet A., Houtkamp JM Paul E., Vreugdenhil PE [42] determined the influence of
personal significance on the affective assessment of the virtual desktop environment (VR) in
artificial darkness. The authors note that, consistent with previous research, it was found that
simulated darkness did indeed have a negative effect on the emotional evaluation of the virtual
desktop environment: the night version was perceived as significantly less cozy and more
stressful than its daytime counterpart. Imitation of darkness, from the respondents’ point of view,
also made the VR environment more exciting [42]. However, the scientists discovered an
“unexpected effect” - the VR environment at night was rated as slightly more comfortable
compared to real night time. This effect may explain the decrease in anxiety scores when working
with a VR program among respondents in a dark room.
In general, research into the impact of VR programs (VR environments) on users allows
us to conclude that darkness, as simulated within the VR program,
80
and created as a condition for working with VR, is not a source of inducing anxiety in
humans.
Consequently, the effect of VR programs for the correction of nyctophobia will be
determined by its contextual and plot content, based on the developed technologies for
working with this type of phobia.
conclusions
1. Application of a VR program for the correction of nyctophobia (one-time, non-duration)

over time (2 min.)) causes a statistically significant decrease in the severity of anxiety (T = 6,
at p≤0.01) amongem respondents with a low level of anxiety, in contrast to respondents who
were diagnosed with “medium” and high” levels of anxiety, in a lighted room.
2. According to the results of the study, under the influence of the VR program, a ten-
tendency towards a decrease in indicators of “high” and “medium” levels of anxiety and an
increase in values of “low” levels in conditions of both illuminated and dark rooms. This
trend is slightly more pronounced in a well-lit room.
3. The use of a VR program causes a statistically significant decrease in the degree
nor the severity of anxiety (T em
= 24, with p≤0.05) among respondents with a low level of
anxiety, in contrast to respondents who were diagnosed with “medium” and “high” levels of
anxiety in a dark room.
4. Respondents with “low” and “medium” levels of anxiety, experiencing stable
severe and long-lasting fear of the dark in this period of life, the VR program caused a
statistically significant decrease in the severity of anxiety in a lighted room (Temp = 1, with p
≤0.05).
5. According to the results of the study, under the influence of the VR program, a ten-
a trend towards a decrease in the indicators of “high” and “medium” levels of anxiety and an
increase in the values of the “low” level in conditions of both illuminated and dark rooms.
This trend is slightly more pronounced in a well-lit room.
6. It should be noted that after finishing working with the VR program, respondents
state of health, activity and mood did not change statistically significantly.
7. The results obtained indicate a high potential for impact,
working correctional VR program. Further work with a larger sample of respondents,
increasing the duration of work (several sessions), as well as the use of VR helmets will, as
we assume, allow us to more deeply and comprehensively study the effectiveness of the
impact of this VR program.
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Author information
Anikina Veronika Gennadievna,Candidate of Psychological Sciences, Associate Professor, Associate Professor
of the Department of General Psychology chology Institute of Experimental Psychology, Moscow State
Psychological and Pedagogical University (FSBEI HE MGPPU), Moscow, Russian Federation, ORCID: https://
orcid.org/0000-0002-7987-6595, e-mail: vegav577@ mail.ru
Jose Evgeniy Gennadievich,Candidate of Psychological Sciences, Senior Researcher, Center
Experimental Psychology Institute of Experimental Psychology, Moscow State Psychological and
Pedagogical University (FSBEI HE MGPPU), Moscow, Russian Federation, ORCID: https://orcid.org/
0000-0001-9355-1693, e-mail: house .yu@gmail.com
Information about the authors

Veronika G. Anikina,PhD in Psychology, Associate Professor Chair of General Psychology, Institute of
Experimental Psychology, Moscow State University of Psychology & Education, Moscow, Russia, ORCID:
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7987-6595, e-mail: vegav577@mail.ru
Evgeny G. Khoze,PhD in Psychology, Senior Researcher, Institute of Experimental Psychology, Moscow State
University of Psychology & Education, Moscow, Russia, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9355-1693, e-mail:
house.yu@ gmail.com
Received 12/07/2022 Received 12/07/2022

Accepted for publication 06/01/2023 Accepted 06/01/2023
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Experimental Psychology 2023. Experimental Psychology (Russia)

INFLUENCE OF A VR PROGRAM FOR THE

Keywords:virtual reality, anxiety, fear, phobias, nyctophobia, correctional VR programs.

THE INFLUENCE OF THE VR PROGRAM FOR THE

Keywords:virtual reality, anxiety, fear, phobias, nyctophobia, corrective VR programs.

The Lancet published a meta-analysis of data on the prevalence of major depressive

A comparative analysis of scientific literature in the field of studying phobias showed

Theoretical foundations and approaches to understanding nature

Using VR programs to work with phobias

irritants; better ensuring patient confidentiality during treatment; significant reduction in

2. Filling out method forms by the study participant.

Rice. 1.Anxiety levels (% of participants) before and after exposure

Rice. 2.Anxiety levels (% of participants) before and after exposure

Rice. 4.Average values of parameters of well-being, activity, mood up to and

In 2009, Dutch scientists conducted a study of the influence of a VR program (desktop

1. Application of a VR program for the correction of nyctophobia (one-time, non-duration)

13. Komer R. Patopsikhologiya povedeniya. Narusheniya i patologii psikhiki [Pathopsychology of behavior.

Information about the authors

Received 12/07/2022 Received 12/07/2022

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