July 17, 2005
Virtual Cure
Psychologists are using virtual reality in combination with cognitive-behavioral therapy as a tool to help people overcome phobias.
An article in the July/August Monitor on Psychology highlights the use of traditional cognitive-behavioral therapy methods, but with a high-tech twist. The psychologists use virtual reality--3-D computer graphics that simulate environments in the real world--to help their patients confront their fears.
The article discusses the use of virtual reality therapy as a tool utilizing exposure therapy which introduces patients to controlled amounts of the thing they fear. It is a key component of most cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Along with an interesting history of VR therapy, the article highlights Virtually Better. Ken Grapp, CEO of Virtually Better was one of the invited speakers at our recent AATP annual meeting in Atlanta.
The article points out that the therapy does not work for everyone--and it works better for some people than for others. Some studies have found, for example, that people who are more hypnotizable or more easily able to block out distraction and be absorbed in an activity like reading are also more likely to benefit from virtual reality exposure therapy. One of the keys to effective virtual reality treatment is "presence," or making the user feel completely immersed in the virtual world. According to Brenda Wiederhold, a psychologist and the executive director of the Virtual Reality Medical Center in California, "we're always looking at how we can improve presence." The improvements don't have to be high-tech: "Some studies have shown that thousands of dollars worth of better graphics don't help, but things like a $10 fan blowing on your face do."
Virtual Reality Medical Center, San Diego
Posted by rsk at July 17, 2005 10:36 PM