Fear of animals and insects is a widespread condition that affects thousands of people around the world. The disease can be so severe that it interferes considerably with a person's daily life. This study aimed to examine the limitations and perspectives of clinical experts on the application of augmented reality (AR) in the treatment of phobias. The methodology used was action research, involving cooperation and participation between researchers and participants, enabling the analysis and resolution of problems in the clinical context. Information was collected through semi-structured interviews with therapists focused on specific phobias.
Thematic analysis of the data revealed main and secondary themes, addressing clinical needs, software requirements, and feasibility of implementing AR in the treatment of phobias. Based on the identified requirements, augmented reality scenarios were created and the FobiAR mobile application was developed. The findings demonstrated that AR may be a promising alternative to conventional exposure therapy, offering a more immersive and controlled environment to patients. The FobiAR application received validation from the interviewed professionals, indicating potential for clinical application.
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