Real-time monitoring of brain activity in patients with specific phobia during exposure therapy, employing a stereoscopic virtual environment

Exposure therapy is a behavioral technique that is reported to be the most effective, long-lasting treatment for patients suffering from specific phob ia. During the performance in enclosed spaces, the patients show a strong p sychophysiological response to the phobic stimulus that is normally avoided . This psychophysiological response changes characteristically during the c ourse of exposure. We implemented an electroencephalographic monitoring foc using on event-related potentials to resolve the modulation of preattentive information processing by the anxiety state of the subject. Therefore, mis match-negativity (MMN) was chosen as parameter using a passive auditory odd ball paradigm that does not interfere with performance in the virtual envir onment. The results of this neurophysiological monitoring are demonstrated in one patient suffering from claustrophobia.