Virtual Reality Therapy
From Wikiwel
Virtual reality therapy (VRT), also known as virtual reality immersion therapy (VRIT), Simulation for Therapy(SFT), virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET), and as Computerized CBT (CCBT), is a method of psychotherapy that uses virtual reality technology to treat patients with anxiety disorders and phobias where it has proven very effective.
See also : Visualisation Therapy
Special Precautions of Virtual Reality Therapy
Although VRET (Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy) looks promising there are a few ethical concerns that should be raised concerning the use and development of using virtual reality simulation for helping clients/patients with mental health issues, such as PTSD.
- One of these concerns is the potential side effects an after effects of virtual reality exposure. Some of these side effects and after effects could include cyber sickness, a type of motion sickness caused by the virtual reality experience, perceptual-motor disturbances, flashbacks, and generally lowered arousal. (Rizzo, Schultheis, & Rothbaum, 2003) If severe and widespread enough, these effects should be mitigated via various methods by those therapists using virtual reality.
- Another ethical issue of some concern is how virtual reality is use by clinicians in that clinicians should be certified to use virtual reality for their clients/patients. Due to the relative newness of virtual reality exposure, there may not be many clinicians who have experience with the nuances of virtual reality exposure and the therapy that virtual reality exposure is meant to be used for. According to Rizzo et. Al (2003), virtual reality technology should only be used as a tool for qualified clinicians instead of being used to further one’s practice or garner an attraction for new clients/patients.
- Another ethical issue is the issue of who is developing the virtual reality and thus benefiting from its sale? In terms of the development of virtual reality technology, some firms double as out-patient clinics. For example, The Virtually Better ™ virtual reality exposure therapy system originates from an outpatient clinic that uses the technology as well as other like therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Exposure Therapy. (Virtually Better Inc., 2013)
- Another non-scientific agenda being explored with VRET is that of the concern of the overall mental health of military personnel by the United States Department of Defense. In 2011, the Department of Defense gave researchers at Emory University School of Medicine, New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center and University of Southern California an 11 million dollar grant to conduct research on the two different types of exposure therapy, traditional and virtual reality, with a drug in order to treat PTSD.[24] Another concern when applying virtual reality exposure therapy is the idea of 'over-exposure' that can take place "in the name of science". Due to the relatively short time that virtual reality exposure therapy has been used and studied, it is very possible that researchers/therapists could choose to take advantage of patients in order to gain more insight regarding the efficacy of the therapy. Also, the therapist may choose to over-expose clients in order to determine exactly how much aversive stimuli an individual can withstand and still see progress. Although, as with all evolving technologies and techniques in psychology, there are many other ethical concerns that could be listed these are just some of note.
Health Benefits and uses of Virtual Reality Therapy are
- Fears and Phobias and Anxiety
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
- Helps patients deal with pain and unpleasant medical procedures.
- Treatment of addictions
- Life style changes : Researchers look how they could use avatars to help people make better and healthier decisions in daily life. An overweight person with a slim and fit avatar may be inspired to make healthier food choices and to exercise more in order to be more closely identify with their online image.
