Claustrophobia · VR in clinical practice
Specific phobia · situational subtype (enclosed spaces)
Intense fear of enclosed spaces or spaces with no visible exit: elevators, MRI scanners, tunnels, transit, small rooms. Frequently comorbid with fear of heights.
No card required. Explore the catalogue and information screens. Clinical sessions require activation.
Why VR for this phobia?
The in-vivo stimulus (a real elevator, an MRI tunnel) is hard to grade and repeat under clinical control. VR lets you adjust the size of the space, the duration of the enclosure, and the availability of an exit, and repeat the critical sequences with the patient knowing they return to the office in a second.
VR hierarchy · 5 graded levels
Each level should be completed with SUDS in the target range across at least two consecutive sessions before advancing. The most common mistake is moving up levels too fast because the scenario is so easy to change.
- 1
Medium room with a closed but visible door
SUDS target: ≤4
- 2
Roomy elevator with closing doors, short ride
SUDS target: ≤5
- 3
Standard elevator, full, across several floors
SUDS target: ≤5
- 4
Simulated MRI tunnel, body inside
SUDS target: ≤4
- 5
Prolonged confined space with no immediate visible exit
SUDS target: ≤3
Clinical notes
Available in VRET today: the elevator cabin ('exposure_elevator') with controls for cabin size, transparency, and movement lets you finely grade the enclosure component. High comorbidity with fear of heights (~30% of patients present both), so the glass elevator and the clinical cabin complement each other. Pre-MRI preparation is one of the most common referral reasons.
Specific contraindications
- Active panic disorder without prior stabilization
- Severe baseline cybersickness (run an SSQ before treatment)
The cockpit
17 clinician controls
Published controls for Claustrophobia. Review options and requirements when preparing the session; some settings depend on scenario state.
Settings
- Cabin size — Spacious · Standard · Compact · Narrow
- Enclosure — from 0 to 100
- Wall speed — Gradual (unnoticeable) · Normal · Fast
- Incident — No incident · Mild · Moderate · Breakdown (doors locked)
- Companions — from 0 to 5
- Doors open — on or off
Settings
- Vibration — None · Gentle · Normal · Noticeable
Settings
- Arrival chime — one-off action
- Reposition patient — one-off action
Settings
- Lighting — Bright · Normal · Dim · Emergency
- Elevator sound — Silent · Normal · Creaking
- Ventilation — on or off
- Outside sounds — on or off
Settings
- Support sound — None · Birdsong · Ocean · Soft music
- Background music — 5 levels
Settings
- Pause — on or off
- Exit scenario — one-off action
These controls describe software features. The professional determines indication, pace and when to stop.
Is Claustrophobia VR a fit for your patients?
Explore the catalogue with a free account. Review the controls, equipment and session activation in a 30-minute demo, with no headset needed.
No card required. Explore the catalogue and information screens. Clinical sessions require activation.
VRET is professional clinical-support software, not a certified medical device. Supervision, indication, and application remain the responsibility of the licensed clinician in charge.