Use of Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality During Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Needle Phobia

This case series study seeks to evaluate the use of a Spatial Computing Device and Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) as an exposure therapy modality for children and adolescents with needle and blood-injection-injury phobia. This study will take place at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital (LPCH) and Stanford Hospital (Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA).

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Patients between the ages of 11-17 2. Fear of needle 3. Patients screened with the modified APA severity Measure for Specific Phobia (blood, needles, or injections), and have an individual phobia score rated as moderate, severe, or extreme (as described below) Exclusion Criteria: 1. Legal guardian not present to obtain consent 2. Adolescent with a significant neurological condition, or major developmental disability 3. Adolescent with active infection of the face or hand 4. A history of severe motion sickness 5. A history of seizures caused by flashing light 6. An impending surgery within the last 48 hours 7. Adolescents who wear glasses and cannot use contacts 8. Adolescents with physical disabilities that prevent them from using their hands 9. Patients with substance use disorder in past year 10. Virtual Reality headsets do not fit.