WHAT IS VIRTUAL REALITY THERAPY?
Virtual reality therapy (VRT) is a treatment used in psychotherapy, most commonly used to treat phobias and PTSD. VRT is used to help patients gradually overcome their fears and control their anxiety.
How it works: Patients put on a virtual immersion headset, which allows them to view an artificial environment similar to whatever causes them distress. While it is true that the patient knows this setting isn’t real, the computer-simulated environment makes it feel very real, therefore allowing the person to confront their fear head on (North). Additionally, the therapist has a programmed computer that allows them to control the sights, sounds, and smells of the patient’s artificial environment. The therapist being able to alter the environment is essential for psychotherapy because it allows the therapist to view exactly what causes the patient the most anxiety (DeAngelis). Another key component of virtual reality therapy is physiological monitoring. Therapists utilize physiological monitoring to monitor the heart rate, temperature, brain activity, and other bodily reactions to determine how much stress a patient feels at a particular moment (Shaping Reality). Through the use of physiological monitoring, therapists know exactly when to alter the artificial environment so that they can keep the stress level of the patient under control.
Virtual reality therapy works like any other form of exposure therapy: easiest to worst. Therapists will start the patient out with a relatively easy scenario containing their fear. Eventually, they gradually work up to a more threatening scene, allowing the patient to steadily overcome their fear.
A key component of virtual reality therapy is that patients can confront their fear with a therapist. They’re not alone, but instead are being exposed to one of their biggest fears with the help of a trusted therapist next to them. Additionally, patients know they are in a nonthreatening environment, so they will feel safe enough to willingly take on their fear.
According to the virtual reality medical center, which is the central location of all VRT treatments, patients will first sit down with a licensed therapist and discuss their fear and what they would like to receive out of treatment. Then, they will begin VRT, which typically lasts for 8-12 weeks, once a week, for 45-50 minutes (Virtual Reality Medical Center).
Virtual reality therapy is not yet widely used around the world. While the Virtual Reality Medical Center works to develop and distribute virtual reality software to clinics around the world, the amount of medical centers that have the funds and resources to obtain this technology is still limited (Virtual Reality Treatment For Anxiety). In the future, when prices are reduced and the technology can be acquired easier, virtual reality therapy's prevalence in treating many psychological disorders will definitely rise.
The central aim of virtual reality therapy is to decrease fear and anxiety (North). Through VRT, patients can gradually overcome their fear in a safe environment, with the help of a trustworthy, reliable therapist at their side guiding them through the process.
How it works: Patients put on a virtual immersion headset, which allows them to view an artificial environment similar to whatever causes them distress. While it is true that the patient knows this setting isn’t real, the computer-simulated environment makes it feel very real, therefore allowing the person to confront their fear head on (North). Additionally, the therapist has a programmed computer that allows them to control the sights, sounds, and smells of the patient’s artificial environment. The therapist being able to alter the environment is essential for psychotherapy because it allows the therapist to view exactly what causes the patient the most anxiety (DeAngelis). Another key component of virtual reality therapy is physiological monitoring. Therapists utilize physiological monitoring to monitor the heart rate, temperature, brain activity, and other bodily reactions to determine how much stress a patient feels at a particular moment (Shaping Reality). Through the use of physiological monitoring, therapists know exactly when to alter the artificial environment so that they can keep the stress level of the patient under control.
Virtual reality therapy works like any other form of exposure therapy: easiest to worst. Therapists will start the patient out with a relatively easy scenario containing their fear. Eventually, they gradually work up to a more threatening scene, allowing the patient to steadily overcome their fear.
A key component of virtual reality therapy is that patients can confront their fear with a therapist. They’re not alone, but instead are being exposed to one of their biggest fears with the help of a trusted therapist next to them. Additionally, patients know they are in a nonthreatening environment, so they will feel safe enough to willingly take on their fear.
According to the virtual reality medical center, which is the central location of all VRT treatments, patients will first sit down with a licensed therapist and discuss their fear and what they would like to receive out of treatment. Then, they will begin VRT, which typically lasts for 8-12 weeks, once a week, for 45-50 minutes (Virtual Reality Medical Center).
Virtual reality therapy is not yet widely used around the world. While the Virtual Reality Medical Center works to develop and distribute virtual reality software to clinics around the world, the amount of medical centers that have the funds and resources to obtain this technology is still limited (Virtual Reality Treatment For Anxiety). In the future, when prices are reduced and the technology can be acquired easier, virtual reality therapy's prevalence in treating many psychological disorders will definitely rise.
The central aim of virtual reality therapy is to decrease fear and anxiety (North). Through VRT, patients can gradually overcome their fear in a safe environment, with the help of a trustworthy, reliable therapist at their side guiding them through the process.
WHAT TYPE OF THERAPY EXISTED BEFORE VRT?
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) was used before virtual reality therapy for treating fear and anxiety but since VRT isn't used by all therapists, CBT is still used in many instances. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a goal-oriented form of psychotherapy that works to address patient’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in an attempt to change maladaptive actions (Cherry).
In terms of helping people reduce their fears and anxiety, cognitive behavioral therapy does this by having patients imagine scenarios in their head instead of having an artificial environment in front of them, as in VRT (Cherry). CBT can also include exposure techniques, where patients are gradually immersed in the real life environment that causes them stress. Additionally, as listed on the virtual reality medical center website, therapists will utilize cognitive behavioral therapy stress and anxiety management techniques when they don’t have the proper VRT equipment for a specific phobia a patient has (Virtual Reality Medical Center).
In terms of helping people reduce their fears and anxiety, cognitive behavioral therapy does this by having patients imagine scenarios in their head instead of having an artificial environment in front of them, as in VRT (Cherry). CBT can also include exposure techniques, where patients are gradually immersed in the real life environment that causes them stress. Additionally, as listed on the virtual reality medical center website, therapists will utilize cognitive behavioral therapy stress and anxiety management techniques when they don’t have the proper VRT equipment for a specific phobia a patient has (Virtual Reality Medical Center).