Virtual reality therapy can conquer people’s fear of heights, according to a trial which raises hopes that millions with common mental health problems can be treated at home by machines (Chris Smyth writes).
Patients who had suffered a crippling fear of heights for 30 years were able to climb steep mountains and cross rope bridges in the real world after treatment with the automated coach.
![James Stewart‘s acrophobia and vertigo could have been cured by VR therapy](https://www.thetimes.co.uk/imageserver/image/methode%2Ftimes%2Fprod%2Fweb%2Fbin%2F8b4e15e8-8536-11e8-ad58-ae35970199d3.jpg?crop=2545%2C2545%2C352%2C352&resize=320)
Two thirds of patients would no longer be classed as having a phobia of heights after the treatment, according to “extraordinarily good” results from a study of 100 people by Oxford University. The NHS is attempting to increase the use of talking therapy but is limited by the number of counsellors, making automated treatment appealing.