The Virtual Reality Medical Center (VRMC) uses 3-dimensional virtual reality simulation technology to treat patients that have anxiety disorders such as fear of closed spaces, flying or fear of public speaking. Virtual reality exposure therapy places the client in a computer-generated world where they “experience” the various stimuli related to their phobia. The client wears a head-mounted display with small TV monitors and stereo earphones to receive both visual and auditory cues. The client’s physiological responses are monitored and they are taught how to control their response to the anxiety provoking situation. The therapist can also see and hear what the client is experiencing in the virtual environment as the therapy sessions progress. Session are controlled so that the client can experience various levels of anxiety and learn how to control their response until they gradually become more comfortable with the situations that produced their anxiety disorder.
Fears, Phobias & Anxiety Disorders
An example of a treatment session for claustrophobia (fear of closed spaces) is to simulate an environment such as an elevator or tunnel using the head-mounted display. This allows the client to experience the situation in the safety and privacy of a therapist’s office where they can learn coping and relaxation skills prior to exposure. It also allows the client to quickly return to a less stressful environment or simply remove the headset if their anxiety level becomes overwhelming.
Virtual Reality Therapy
Examples of fears, phobias, & disorders that can be treated with virtual reality therapy include:
- Fear of Closed Spaces
- Fear of Thunderstorms
- Fear of Driving
- Fear Of School
- Fear of Flying
- Social Phobia
- Fear of Heights
- Fear of Needles and Blood
- Panic Disorder
- Fear of Open Spaces
- Flying Anticipatory Anxiety
- Fear of Spiders
- Fear of Public Speaking
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
A large percentage of war veterans report having PTSD and major depression associated with their combat experiences. The first stage in treating PTSD is to determine the specific cause of the stress, to do this virtual recreations are shown to the client such as a battlefield convoy, hospital or village in the war zone. Subjects are monitored by a real-time physiological device that records the subject’s vital signs, including heart rate, respiration, skin conductance, temperature, electroencephalogram (EEG), and electro cardiogram (ECG). From these recordings, researchers can identify which situations provide the most stress for the subjects. By understanding the exact cause of a person’s PTSD symptoms a therapist is better equipped to treat them.
PTSD Therapy
Virtual reality exposure therapy is far less costly that “In Vivo” expsoure where a real life situation is recreated for the client and difficult or impracticable situations such as the battlefield can be simulated in the safety of an office without risk to the patient. It also allows exact situations to be repeated so that the client can gradually reduce their fear and anxiety levels over time.
