Fear of driving · VR in clinical practice
Specific phobia · situational subtype (driving)
Intense fear of driving. Often follows an accident, but can also be primary. It limits work and family independence.
30 minutes to review the product, equipment and your practice's needs. You do not need a headset for the call.
Why VR for this phobia?
In-vivo logistics require a car, a driving instructor, and progressive real exposure. VR lets you repeat the critical sequences (merging onto the freeway, passing a truck) as often as needed with no risk.
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
Empty parking lot, slow maneuvers
SUDS target: ≤4
- 2
Quiet neighborhood streets, no traffic, sunny day
SUDS target: ≤5
- 3
Secondary road with moderate traffic
SUDS target: ≤5
- 4
Two-lane highway at 55 mph with passing
SUDS target: ≤4
- 5
Urban freeway at rush hour with lane changes
SUDS target: ≤3
Clinical notes
Cybersickness runs high in these scenarios. Dose it: short initial sessions (5–7 min), frequent breaks, hydration, a baseline SSQ. If the patient had an accident, work through any subclinical PTSD first. Scenarios are on the roadmap.
Specific contraindications
- Severe baseline cybersickness (motion scenarios are the worst offenders)
- Acute accident trauma <6 months without prior processing
The cockpit
20 clinician controls
Published controls for Fear of driving. Review options and requirements when preparing the session; some settings depend on scenario state.
Settings
- Vehicle speed — 5 levels
- Movement intensity — Sin movimiento · Suave · Normal · Marcado
Settings
- Overtake car — one-off action
- Overtake truck — one-off action
- Oncoming truck — one-off action
- Cut in — one-off action
- Sudden brake — one-off action
- Tailgater — on or off
- Horn — one-off action
- Near miss — one-off action
- Enter tunnel — one-off action
- Pothole — one-off action
- Accident scene — one-off action
Settings
- Weather — 5 levels
- Time of day — Dia · Atardecer · Noche
Settings
- Traffic sound — on or off
Settings
- Pull over — one-off action
- Reset route — one-off action
- Emergency exit — one-off action
Settings
- Paused — on or off
These controls describe software features. The professional determines indication, pace and when to stop.
Is Fear of driving a scenario you need?
Confirm this scenario’s availability and compatibility with the team before preparing a session. This guide remains available as reference material.
30 minutes to review the product, equipment and your practice's needs. You do not need a headset for the call.
VRET is professional clinical-support software, not a certified medical device. Supervision, indication, and application remain the responsibility of the licensed clinician in charge.