New ‘Phobys’ app to help arachnophobes
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A new app designed by researchers at the University of Basel, Switzerland, uses augmented reality to help users reduce their fear of spiders.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Phobys uses exposure therapy, through a combination of hyper-realistic images and interactive stages of engagement, to help people conquer their fears.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">To test their technology, the researchers conducted a clinical trial with 66 participants with a fear of spiders over two weeks.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">One group used the app for about six and a half hours, while a second group didn’t use it at all.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Those who used the app reported less “fear” and “disgust” than those in the control group.</span></p>
<p><img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844308/spider1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/8b79284e182a4f56bafc2fa5f0451878" /></p>
<p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Phobys</span></em></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It’s easier for people with a fear of spiders to face a virtual spider than a real one,” said Anja Zimmer, the study’s lead author.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The app is available in app stores for iPhone and Android.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, researchers have advised those who suffer from a “serious” fear of arachnids to use the app under the guidance of a therapist.</span></p>
<p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Getty</span></em></p>
