Brandon Park - Senior Editor, Medical Technology Department
Date Published: 01 April, 2023
“Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Other Anxiety Disorders” by Maryrose Geradi et al. (2010) looks into treatment using virtual reality technology to combat various anxiety disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Specifically, the researchers used Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET), which is used to stimulate anxiety-provoking situations for patients to confront and gradually desensitize their fears in a safe and controlled environment. Furthermore, the article reviews the effectiveness of VRET in treating PTSD, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and specific phobias, highlighting the advantages of using this approach over traditional exposure therapy. One interesting take away from the article is that VRET has greater control over the exposure of the patients to fear-inducing situations than other current treatments and can tailor treatment to individual patient needs. Even though VRET can provide personalized treatment based on the patient’s medical condition, there still needs to be further research to optimize the use of VRET, such as identifying the most effective types of virtual reality technology and determining the optimal length and frequency of treatment sessions. A second takeaway from the article is that it can be combined with other current treatments, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, to enhance its efficacy. However, this could cause a great financial burden since virtual reality technology is costly. In the future, the researchers hope that there will be advancements to VRET where it may become more accessible and cost-effective.
The article is well-written and provides valuable insights into using VRET as a treatment option for various psychiatric disorders, specifically anxiety disorders. The authors are transparent with the potential benefits and limitations of VRET; some limitations include the need for specialized equipment and trained professionals to administer the therapy. Also, the authors note that VRET may not be suitable for all patients, particularly those with severe mental health conditions, such as driving phobia. In order to improve the study and make developments in VRET for PTSD and anxiety disorders, there needs to be more research on the long-term effectiveness of VRET to determine whether its benefits persist over time. Not only is it important to conduct more tests, but it is also crucial to examine the impact of VRET on different populations, such as children, military veterans, and individuals from different cultural backgrounds. On a humanitarian scale, the article has significant implications for improving the lives of individuals who are struggling with PTSD and other anxiety disorders. By highlighting the potential benefits of VRET, the article encourages the development of new treatment options that can help individuals to overcome their symptoms and lead healthier, more fulfilling lives. This has the potential to reduce the overall burden of mental illness on individuals, families, and society as a whole.
References:
Gerardi, M., Cukor, J., Difede, J., Rizzo, A., & Rothbaum, B. O. (2010). Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Other Anxiety Disorders. Current Psychiatry Reports, 12(4), 298–305. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-010-0128-4
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