Virtual Reality Exposure Research Articles

Virtual reality as a sustainable alternative for authentic and satisfying tourism experiences

ABSTRACT Tourism significantly contributes to climate change while simultaneously providing essential leisure and relaxation opportunities. This study examines the potential of virtual reality (VR) as a sustainable alternative to physical tourism by examining its ability to authentically and satisfactorily replicate traditional tourism experiences. Anchored in technological mediation theory, this study explores whether VR’s embodiment features – ownership, location, and agency – can foster tourism authenticity and tourist satisfaction. To do so, this study employs a quasi-experimental design with 937 cases. The findings indicate that VR tourism can deliver authenticity and satisfaction levels comparable to physical visits, particularly among tourists with prior VR exposure. These results advance sustainable tourism practices by positioning VR as a viable alternative to physical travel, thereby contributing to environmental conservation efforts. These results also underscore the critical role of technology embodiment in crafting immersive and meaningful tourism experiences. Therefore, the data-driven insights provided herein can be used to guide the development of innovative, technology-driven tourism models that meet the growing demand for authentic and sustainable travel experiences.

Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for Reducing School Anxiety in Adolescents: Pilot Study.

Virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) is a promising treatment approach for anxiety disorders. However, while its efficacy has been demonstrated in adults, research on the efficacy of VRET in the treatment of adolescents with anxiety disorders is largely lacking. A pilot study was carried out to test whether exposure to a virtual reality (VR) school environment elicits state anxiety and autonomic arousal in adolescents with school anxiety (diagnoses covering social anxiety disorder or specific phobia involving school contexts). In addition, we examined whether repeated VR exposure led to a reduction in this fear response, trait school anxiety, and social anxiety symptoms. Moreover, the relationship of presence, the subjective sense of "being there," during VR exposure with anxiety measures and treatment response was examined. In a pilot study, 10 adolescents with school anxiety (age range 14 to 17 years) participated in five VRET sessions. Self-reported state anxiety, heart rate, and presence during exposure, as well as trait school anxiety and social anxiety before and after treatment, were measured. The VR scenario induced state anxiety and autonomic arousal. After VRET, a significant reduction in state anxiety (η2=0.74) and social anxiety symptoms (d=0.82) as well as a trend toward a decrease in trait school anxiety were observed, while autonomic arousal did not change. In addition, presence during VR exposure was associated with state anxiety and treatment response. Our findings indicate the feasibility and potential effectiveness of VRET as a treatment method for symptoms of school and social anxiety in adolescents.

A Virtual Reality Approach to Overcome Glossophobia among University Students

In the contemporary academic landscape, university students frequently deliver presentations in front of their peers and faculty, often leading to heightened levels of Public Speaking Anxiety (PSA). This study explores the potential of Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) to alleviate PSA among students. Our study introduces "Manch," a realistic VR environment that simulates classroom public speaking scenarios with lifelike audience interactions and a slide-deck presentation feature. The study was conducted with N=28 participants, showing a significant reduction in PSA levels post-VR exposure, thereby establishing VR's efficacy in mitigating PSA. Additionally, we also incorporated a unique qualitative analysis through participant interviews, offering deeper insights into individual experiences with VRET. Manch shows great promise as a tool for future studies and interventions aimed at reducing PSA, particularly among university students.

Virtual Reality-Based Exposure With 360° Environments for Social Anxiety Disorder: Usability and Feasibility Study.

Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is a long-term and overwhelming fear of social situations that can affect work, school, and other daily activities. Although cognitive behavioral therapy is effective, few seek treatment, and many who do start often drop out. This may be due to the component of exposure inherent to cognitive behavioral therapy, where the patient confronts feared stimuli outside the therapist's office, which they otherwise try to avoid. As an alternative, research has explored the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR)-based exposure therapy with promising results. However, few studies have investigated the feasibility of VR tools using mixed methodologies before assessing their efficacy. This study aims to assess the usability, feasibility, and presence of four 360° virtual environments and whether these were able to evoke anxiety in patients with SAD. A total of 10 adult participants with SAD and 10 healthy controls were recruited for 1 experimental session (age range 21-32 y; 12/20, 60% male participants). Questionnaire and interview data were collected and analyzed. A mixed methods triangulation design was applied to analyze and compare the data. Participants with SAD experienced increased anxiety when exposed to VR, and environments were considered relevant and useful as an exposure tool. Participants with SAD reported significantly higher average anxiety levels (P=.01) and peak anxiety levels (P=.01) compared with controls during exposure; however, significant differences in anxiety when accounting for baseline anxiety levels were only found in 2 of 4 environments (P=.01, P=.01, P=.07, and P=.06). While presence scores were acceptable in both groups, participants with SAD scored significantly lower than controls. Qualitative analyses highlight this finding within the SAD group, where some participants experienced presence reduction due to being observed while in VR and in situations with reduced interaction in VR. VR exposure with 360° videos seems to be useful as a first step of exposure therapy for patients with SAD. Future exploration in the clinical application of VR-based exposure for SAD, as well as means of increasing presence within the virtual environments, may be useful.

The impact of virtual reality exposure on ocean connectedness and consumer responses to single-use packaging

Efforts to mitigate plastic packaging pollution include behavioural strategies aimed at shifting consumer perceptions and behaviour. Connectedness to nature, and more recently ocean connectedness, has been associated with pro-environmental intentions regarding single-use packaging. Two experimental studies were conducted to examine the potential of Virtual Reality (VR) technologies in promoting ocean connectedness and shifting consumer perceptions around packaging and its environmental qualities.To assess the influence of the VR content, in Study 1 (n = 94), participants were briefly exposed to an oceanic VR environment or an urban VR experience. Levels of ocean connectedness, both explicit and implicit, were measured after the VR manipulation using an Inclusion of Nature in Self (INS) measure and an Implicit Association Test (IAT). Participants then rated a variety of packaging options that were systematically manipulated in terms of type of raw material (e.g. plastic) and recyclability. The ocean VR condition showed higher levels of ocean connectedness on the adapted explicit INS measure, but not on the IAT measure, and there were no differences between the conditions in perceptions around packaging materials.Study 2 (n = 118) expanded on the previous study by adding a third condition: the participants were exposed to an oceanic VR environment, a built VR environment, or a non-VR task (cognitive task). The ocean VR condition showed higher levels of explicit ocean connectedness, as measured with the INS, than the other two conditions, but again there were no differences in implicit ocean connectedness. However, the ocean VR condition showed more critical perceptions around packaging overall in comparison to the built VR condition. We conclude that a brief immersive oceanic VR experience can influence explicit ocean connectedness, as measured with the INS, but its influence on packaging perceptions was more limited.

3D built virtual arctic environment increase vigor through connectedness in older people.

While the life expectancy of older people has increased significantly, this is often related to more long-term care in healthcare residences and nursing homes. Staying in these facilities can lead to a reduction in the sense of connection with others and the world around, as well as in vigor, with significant psychophysical repercussions in the long term. Although previous studies have shown that the virtual nature can benefit both, there are no significant studies that have tested its effect in generating these positive outcomes in the older population. Therefore, our study sought to investigate, in a sample of 53 older people in care at a nursing home or healthcare residence, the indirect effect of a 3D built virtual arctic environment (vs. a 3D built virtual urban environment) exposure in virtual reality on vigor through connectedness. Both the virtual scenarios were designed with a first-person view, with no translation around the environment and only in-situ rotation. Results highlighted that exposure to the 3D built virtual arctic environment leads to higher connectedness than the 3D built virtual urban environment, and this, in turn, leads to an increase in vigor. Findings were discussed based on the potential of adopting virtual nature in facilities to improve older people's sense of connectedness and, in turn, improve their well-being.

Impact of Audio-Visual Complexity on Symptomatology of Laryngeal Dystonia: A Virtual Reality Study.

Laryngeal dystonia (LD) is an isolated focal dystonia characterized by involuntary spasms in laryngeal muscles selectively impairing speech production. Anecdotal observations reported the worsening of LD symptoms in stressful or vocally demanding situations. To examine the impact of surrounding audio-visual complexity on LD symptomatology for a better understanding of disorder phenomenology. We developed well-controlled virtual reality (VR) environments of real-life interpersonal communications to investigate how different levels of audio-visual complexity may impact LD symptoms. The VR experiments were conducted over five consecutive days, during which each patient experienced 10 h of 4100 experimental trials in VR with gradually increasing audio-visual complexity. Daily reports were collected about patients' voice changes, as well as their comfort, engagement, concentration, and drowsiness from using VR technology. After a weekly VR exposure, 82% of patients reported changes in their voice symptoms related to changes in background audio-visual complexity. Significant differences in voice symptoms were found between the first two levels of the audio-visual challenge complexity independent of study sessions or VR environments. This study demonstrated that LD symptoms are impacted by audio-visual background across various virtual realistic settings. These findings should be taken into consideration when planning behavioral experiments or evaluating the outcomes of clinical trials in these patients. Moreover, these data show that VR presents a reliable and useful technology for providing real-life assessments of the impact of various experimental settings, such as during the testing of novel therapeutic interventions in these patients. Level 3 Laryngoscope, 2024.

Co-designing a virtual reality exposure therapy with students experiencing school anxiety: a proof-of-concept study.

Anxiety related school avoidance can affect up to 5% of a country's students each year. VRET (Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy) is a novel therapy proven to be as effective as conventional approaches for treating many anxiety disorders. The aim of this research is to co-design and evaluate a VRET intervention for students experiencing school related anxiety. Eighteen adolescents participated in design thinking workshops where they developed a script and storyboard for the VRET. Using an iterative approach, a VRET prototype was developed based on this work. Eighteen teenagers were subsequently recruited to engage with the VRET for one session each and provide feedback on their experience via a structured questionnaire (supervised by a study coordinator) particularly focusing on the ability of the VR experience to reduce school related anxiety. Exposure therapy needs to produce an anxiety response to be effective. The VRET was effective in producing an anxiety response in 89% of participants. Results demonstrated that 93% of participants found the simulations immersive, 94% found the scenarios believable, and 83% could relate to 'Dala', the avatar in the videos. 100% of participants believed that VRET would help with school anxiety. This proof-of-concept study demonstrates favourable face validity indicating promise for this mode of intervention for delivering targeted support to anxious students. VRET could be used as a scalable, cost effective early intervention to reduce the severity of anxiety associated with school avoidance.

The impact of virtual reality exposure therapy in the treatment of PTSD and anxiety disorders

Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) has emerged as a groundbreaking tool in the treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and anxiety disorders, offering a controlled, immersive environment that facilitates desensitization and fear extinction. The review process adhered strictly to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. This literature review explores the mechanisms by which VRET enhances therapeutic outcomes, comparing its efficacy to traditional exposure therapies. Through an examination of clinical applications, particularly in PTSD and various anxiety disorders, the review highlights both the advantages of VRET—such as increased patient engagement and treatment customization—and its challenges, including technological limitations and ethical considerations. Future directions for VRET are also discussed, emphasizing its potential to revolutionize mental health care by integrating advancements in technology and personalized treatment approaches.

Opening the Black Box: The Underlying Working Mechanisms in Virtual-Reality Exposure Therapy for Anxiety Disorders

Although research on virtual-reality (VR) exposure therapy (VRET) in anxiety disorders has primarily focused on effectiveness and acceptability, the underlying working mechanisms have received scant attention. To fill this knowledge gap, we discuss potential theoretical underpinnings of VRET based on three dominant theoretical accounts on exposure: inhibitory-learning theory (expectancy violation), emotional-processing theory (habituation), and self-efficacy theory. Whereas theoretically speaking, habituation and self-efficacy seem plausible candidate mechanisms to explain the effects of VRET, the role of expectancy violation is less straightforward. Because of the simulated nature of VR, some feared outcomes cannot occur, and therefore, possibilities to violate expectancies about their occurrence may be compromised. Empirical evidence on the working mechanisms of VRET is scarce and has important limitations. Avenues for future research are provided. Insights into the mechanisms of VRET not only are of theoretical importance but also can provide theory-based directions to optimize the application of VRET.

Intermittent theta burst stimulation of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex has no additional effect on the efficacy of virtual reality exposure therapy for acrophobia. A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study

Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental disorders. Treatment guidelines recommend pharmacotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy as standard treatment. Although cognitive behavioral therapy is an effective therapeutic approach, not all patients benefit sufficiently from it. In recent years, non-invasive brain stimulation techniques, such as transcranial magnetic stimulation, have been investigated as promising adjuncts in the treatment of affective disorders. The aim of this study is to investigate whether a combination of intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) and virtual reality exposure therapy leads to a significantly greater reduction in acrophobia than virtual reality exposure with sham stimulation. In this randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study, 43 participants with acrophobia received verum or sham iTBS over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex prior to two sessions of virtual reality exposure therapy. Stimulation of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex with iTBS was motivated by an experimental study showing a positive effect on extinction memory retention. Acrophobic symptoms were assessed using questionnaires and two behavioral approach tasks one week before, after treatment and six months after the second diagnostic session. The results showed that two sessions of virtual reality exposure therapy led to a significant reduction in acrophobic symptoms, with an overall remission rate of 79 %. However, there was no additional effect of iTBS of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex on the therapeutic effects. Further research is needed to determine how exactly a combination of transcranial magnetic stimulation and exposure therapy should be designed to enhance efficacy.

Virtual Reality in Cancer Care: Enhancing Knowledge and Reducing Anxiety about Chemotherapy among Patients and Caregivers.

Virtual reality (VR) technology has evolved from entertainment to significant applications in healthcare and education. Despite its potential, there is limited research on the role of VR in cancer care. This study investigates VR's ability to simulate the chemotherapy process, aiming to enhance patients' knowledge and mitigate anxiety associated with chemotherapy. Utilizing a two-arm, mixed-methods pre/post-survey design, the study measured changes in patients' anxiety and knowledge before and after exposure to a VR simulation. Participants (n = 267) engaged with VR simulations or interactive 360-degree videos depicting the chemotherapy process. Data analyses revealed a significant median increase in chemotherapy knowledge post-exposure to the VR content (z = 12.511, p < 0.001). Demographic factSors significantly influenced perceptions of VR realism and usefulness (p < 0.05). Additionally, VR exposure was correlated with reduced anxiety levels and improved treatment expectations (p < 0.05). Participants with higher post-understanding chemotherapy scores considered VR a useful tool for managing anxiety about chemotherapy and recommended VR for other medical procedures (p < 0.001). These findings underscore VR technology's potential as a valuable tool in cancer treatment, suggesting it can enhance patient education and reduce anxiety, thereby improving patient outcomes during cancer therapy.

Virtuell virkelighet, virkelig mestring: Virtual Reality som verktøy i behandling av psykoselidelser

Virtual reality (VR) is emerging as an innovative tool in psychotherapy. In this article, we review the evidence base for the use of VR in therapy, focusing on the treatment of psychotic disorders. We present a fictional case study based on real-life patient pathways from several psychosis treatment units at Oslo University Hospital, showing how VR can be used to address anxiety and avoidance behaviours in patients with psychotic disorders. Furthermore, we introduce RecoVRy, a novel Norwegian intervention combining VR and artificial intelligence (AI) to help individuals with psychotic disorders manage everyday anxiety. Although integrating VR and AI holds considerable potential, we also discuss challenges related to privacy and ethical considerations. We conclude that although VR therapy probably does not represent a universal solution, the technology constitutes a valuable supplement that can enrich therapeutic practices and potentially contribute to significant health and socioeconomic savings. Finally, we emphasise the need for further research to fully realise this potential. Keywords: Virtual reality, VR, virtual reality exposure therapy, VRET, artificial intelligence, AI, psychosis, schizophrenia

Impact of NPSR1 gene variation on the neural correlates of phasic and sustained fear in spider phobia-an imaging genetics and independent replication approach.

The functional neuropeptide S receptor 1 (NPSR1) gene A/T variant (rs324981) is associated with fear processing. We investigated the impact of NPSR1 genotype on fear processing and on symptom reduction following treatment in individuals with spider phobia. A replication approach was applied [discovery sample: Münster (MS) nMS = 104; replication sample Würzburg (WZ) nWZ = 81]. Participants were genotyped for NPSR1 rs324981 [T-allele carriers (risk) versus AA homozygotes (no-risk)]. A sustained and phasic fear paradigm was applied during functional magnetic resonance imaging. A one-session virtual reality exposure treatment was conducted. Change of symptom severity from pre to post treatment and within session fear reduction were assessed. T-allele carriers in the discovery sample displayed lower anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) activation compared to AA homozygotes independent of condition. For sustained fear, this effect was replicated within a small cluster and medium effect size. No association with symptom reduction was found. Within-session fear reduction was negatively associated with ACC activation in T-allele carriers in the discovery sample. NPSR1 rs324981 genotype might be associated with fear processing in the ACC in spider phobia. Interpretation as potential risk-increasing function of the NPSR1 rs324981 T-allele via impaired top-down control of limbic structures remains speculative. Potential association with symptom reduction warrants further research.

Virtual reality exposure therapy for social anxiety disorders: a meta-analysis and meta-regression of randomized controlled trials.

Virtual reality exposure therapy offers a unique opportunity to treat social anxiety disorder. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the effectiveness of virtual reality exposure therapy compared to waitlist comparators or other interventions for individuals with social anxiety disorder in alleviating anxiety symptoms. A three-step comprehensive search for the randomized controlled trials of virtual reality exposure therapy was conducted from inception to 7 December 2023. The overall effect was measured using Hedges' g and determined using t-statistics at a significance level of p < 0.05. Sensitivity, subgroup, and meta-regression analyses were carried out. A total of 17 randomized control trials were retrieved from nine electronic databases. Virtual reality exposure therapy has greater efficacy than waitlist comparators in reducing anxiety symptoms at post-intervention and follow-up assessment. Virtual reality exposure therapy demonstrates a similar effect to other interventions at post-intervention and follow-up assessment. We observed a greater effect for participants with symptomatic social anxiety when we combined the intervention with cognitive behavioral therapy compared to its counterpart. Meta-regression analyses found no significant covariate. Overall, virtual reality exposure therapy can provide supplementary therapy for improving anxiety symptoms. Additional high-quality and large-scale trials with long-term follow-up are needed.

Evaluation of Medical Subject Headings assignment in simulated patient articles.

To evaluate human-based Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) allocation in articles about 'patient simulation'-a technique that mimics real-life patient scenarios with controlled patient responses. A validation set of articles indexed before the Medical Text Indexer-Auto implementation (in 2019) was created with 150 combinations potentially referring to 'patient simulation'. Articles were classified into four categories of simulation studies. Allocation of seven MeSH terms (Simulation Training, Patient Simulation, High Fidelity Simulation Training, Computer Simulation, Patient-Specific Modelling, Virtual Reality, and Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy) was investigated. Accuracy metrics (sensitivity, precision, or positive predictive value) were calculated for each category of studies. A set of 7213 articles was obtained from 53 different word combinations, with 2634 excluded as irrelevant. 'Simulated patient' and 'standardized/standardized patient' were the most used terms. The 4579 included articles, published in 1044 different journals, were classified into: 'Machine/Automation' (8.6%), 'Education' (75.9%) and 'Practice audit' (11.4%); 4.1% were 'Unclear'. Articles were indexed with a median of 10 MeSH (IQR 8-13); however, 45.5% were not indexed with any of the seven MeSH terms. Patient Simulation was the most prevalent MeSH (24.0%). Automation articles were more associated with Computer Simulation MeSH (sensitivity = 54.5%; precision = 25.1%), while Education articles were associated with Patient Simulation MeSH (sensitivity = 40.2%; precision = 80.9%). Practice audit articles were also polarized to Patient Simulation MeSH (sensitivity = 34.6%; precision = 10.5%). Inconsistent use of free-text words related to patient simulation was observed, as well as inaccuracies in human-based MeSH assignments. These limitations can compromise relevant literature retrieval to support evidence synthesis exercises.

The comparison between intratympanic gentamicin prehabilitation and postoperative virtual reality exposure to standard vestibular training in patients with vestibular schwannoma.

Resection of the vestibular schwannoma causes acute peripheral vestibular loss. The process of central compensation starts immediately afterward. The rehabilitation goal is to support this process and restore the quality of life. In this prospective single-center study, 67 consecutive patients underwent vestibular schwannoma resection (40 females, mean age 52 ± 12 years). The patients were divided into three groups: the prehabilitation with intratympanic gentamicin group, the virtual reality group (optokinetic stimulation via virtual reality goggles in the first ten days after the surgery), and the control group. All patients were examined with objective methods and completed questionnaires before the prehabilitation, before the surgery, at the hospital discharge, and after three months. Intratympanic gentamicin prehabilitation leads ipsilaterally to a significant aVOR reduction in all semicircular canals (p < 0.050), the increase of the unilateral weakness in air calorics (p = 0.026), and loss of cVEMPs responses (p = 0.017). Prehabilitation and postoperative exposure to virtual reality scenes improved the patient's perception of vertigo problems according to Dizziness Handicap Inventory (p = 0.039 and p = 0.076, respectively). These findings conform with the optokinetic testing results, which showed higher slow phase velocities at higher speeds (40deg/s) in both targeted groups compared to the control group. Preoperative intratympanic gentamicin positively affects peripheral vestibular function, influencing balance perception after VS resection. In long-term follow-up, prehabilitation and postoperative exposure to virtual reality improve patients' quality of life in the field of vertigo problems.

Virtual Reality and Higher Education Sporting Events: Social Anxiety Perception as an Outcome of VR Simulation.

This study investigates the relationship between Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) and social anxiety in sport environments. Social anxiety is a mental health condition that manifests people's intense fear of being watched and judged by others and worrying about humiliation It is important to research potential tools like VRET that could help to mitigate the impact of social anxiety as people with social anxiety often avoid attending live events due to the venue's sensory stimuli and the social encounters they anticipate. VR simulation could allow socially anxious individuals to fully experience a sporting event simulation minus the anxiety induced by potential social encounters. VR's therapeutic effects on social anxiety should be explored when considering several findings of VR intervention to mental health. The study aims to assess the impact of exposing socially anxious people to a virtual sporting game by measuring their levels of social anxiety, team identification, and intentions to attend a live sporting event before and after the VR exposure. Due to VR's positive experience, social anxiety is expected to decrease. However, team identification and intentions to attend live sporting events are expected to increase because of VR's ability to develop sport fanship. Fourteen students with symptoms of social anxiety participated in the study. To create the VR simulation stimuli, the researchers used six 360° cameras to record an NCAA Division-I women's volleyball game. Participants experienced the sporting event via VR simulation. Data were analyzed via one-group pre- and post-comparison. Significant results were found for behavioral intentions of participants after experiencing the simulation. Social anxiety's difference was negative 0.22, t(13) = 3.47, p < 0.01. After watching the game in VR, the respondents' social anxiety decreased significantly. Team identification's difference was 0.53, t(13) = -3.56, p < 0.01. Lastly, event visit intentions' difference was 0.24, t(13) = -2.35, p < 0.05. Team identification and intentions to visit a sporting event rose significantly after viewing the game in VR.

Underlying Working Mechanisms of Virtual Reality Exposure: Exploring the Role of Fearful Expectancies and Habituation

While research has primarily focused on establishing the efficacy of virtual reality (VR) exposure, relatively scant attention has been paid to the underlying working mechanisms that drive the effects. The present study examined the role of fearful expectancies and fear reduction (habituation) in VR exposure. Fearful expectancies were measured before, during (retrospectively), and after a VR exposure session in 121 participants with elevated fear of spiders. In addition, skin-conductance and heart rate were measured throughout the exposure session to examine fear reduction within the exercises and across the session. Fearful expectancies decreased after VR exposure. Larger decreases were associated with better outcomes 1 week (in the verbal and behavioral measures) and 3 months (in one of the verbal measures) after exposure. Levels of expectancies during exposure were not associated with the outcome. We did not find evidence that expectancies about own reactions were better testable in VR exposure than expectancies about the spider. Fear reduction within the exercises or across the session did generally not predict VR exposure outcome. It is recommended to focus on various operationalizations and experimental manipulations of the mechanisms, as well as to compare these mechanisms between VR and in vivo exposure in future research.

EFFICACY OF VIRTUAL REALITY EXPOSURE THERAPY FOR THE TREATMENT OF POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER IN ADULTS

The emergence of new technologies like enhanced immersion and realism providing realistic stimulations, biometric sensor integration having physiological monitoring like heart rate monitors and conductance sensors which allow the observation and monitoring of patients behaviour and their responses and combining the reality with VR technology have altogether made the Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy more effective for the treatment of phobias and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder [1]. The efficacy of VRET in treatment of PTSDcan be observed through various studies conducted on war veterans, general population and people suffering from stressful traumatic memories of the past.Astudy was conducted to assess the treatment ofPTSD through VRET in the survivors of 9/11 attacks revealed significant reductions in symptoms with large effect size (d=1.50).