Abstract
This perspective piece reviews the clinical condition of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is currently increasing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and recent research illustrating how olfaction is being incorporated into virtual reality (VR) platforms. I then discuss the latest work examining the potential of olfactory virtual reality (OVR) for the treatment of PTSD. From this foundation I suggest novel ways in which OVR may be implemented in PTSD therapy and harnessed for preventing the development of PTSD. Perceptual and chemical features of olfaction that should be considered in OVR applications are also discussed.
Highlights
This perspective piece reviews the clinical condition of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is currently increasing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and recent research illustrating how olfaction is being incorporated into virtual reality (VR) platforms
Sci. 2021, 11, 1070. https://doi.org/. The aim of this perspective piece is to discuss the potential for using new methodologies made possible through olfactory virtual reality (OVR) for the treatment and prevention of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Odors are common and debilitating triggers of PTSD, and VR technology with odors has recently been developed for the treatment of PTSD
Summary
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. PTSD is a highly debilitating emotional disorder characterized by extremely distressing thoughts and intrusive traumatic memories. It is frequently accompanied by depression, substance abuse, sleep problems, and anxiety. In 2013, the American Psychiatric Association reported the following statistics for PTSD: it affects approximately 3.5 percent of. U.S adults; approximately eight million people are diagnosed with PTSD each year; and an estimated one in 11 people are afflicted with this condition during their lifetime [5]. There are several trauma-focused treatments for PTSD that equip patients with strategies to confront and process traumatic memories and emotions, including cognitive processing therapy [15] and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing or EMDR [16]. Success with general exposure therapy for PTSD is not always observed [18,19]
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