Psychophysiological activation of patients with zoophobia in a virtual reality environment

Anxiety is a clinical condition of growing order and especially at the national level. Within these are specific phobias, which occur when irrational fear is caused by a certain stimulus. The present study aims to determine the ability of a virtual reality environment to cause variations in psychophysiological responses in patients with specific phobias to animals. The sample was made up of 14 people, 92.85 % were women of legal age, who underwent a semi-structured interview, and to a virtual reality environment. Additionally, the psychophysiological variables were monitored. The results did not show significant differences in psychophysiological activation at each of the levels. In conclusion, a quarter of the population had zoophobia, 46.15 % had a phobia of mice, 30.76 % to cockroaches and 7.69 %, in an equal percentage, to spiders, toads and snakes, women are the ones who suffer the most from specific phobia with 92.85 %. Finally, heart rate, skin conductance and temperature can be considered as variables that can demonstrate a subject's response to a virtual reality environment.