At oVRcome, we’ve been extolling the virtues of virtual reality therapy for years: we’ve had clinical trials to prove the efficacy of our phobia programs [1], and seen first-hand the powerful impact it makes in our users’ lives, as well as on clinician practices, enabling them to treat more patients and see better outcomes.
Things move fast at the cutting edge. In recent years, the landscape of mental health treatment has witnessed a remarkable transformation with the advent of immersive virtual reality (VR) interventions. These techniques hold the promise of revolutionizing traditional therapeutic approaches, offering innovative solutions for a wide array of mental disorders.
A recent paper titled "Advances in immersive virtual reality interventions for mental disorders: A new reality?" [2] delves into this exciting frontier, shedding light on the transformative potential of VR in mental health care. We want to share the findings with you, and explore beyond oVRcome’s programs to examine a new reality for VR therapies.
VRET: How virtual reality makes exposure therapy accessible
At the forefront of these advancements lies the realm of exposure therapy, particularly in the treatment of phobias. Traditional exposure therapy involves gradually exposing individuals to the source of their fears in a controlled environment, aiming to desensitize them over time. However, this approach often presents logistical challenges and may not accurately replicate triggers. Herein lies the beauty of VR-based exposure therapy.
The paper underscores how VR technology offers a uniquely immersive experience, allowing individuals to confront their fears in a realistic yet safe virtual environment. By simulating various scenarios related to the phobia, whether it be heights, spiders, or social situations, VR exposure therapy provides a controlled platform for gradual exposure and cognitive restructuring. This immersive approach enhances engagement, empowers individuals to confront their fears head-on, and facilitates the learning of coping strategies in a supportive setting.
Moreover, VR therapy offers unparalleled flexibility and customization, catering to the specific needs and preferences of each individual. Therapists can adjust the intensity of exposure, tailor scenarios to match personal triggers, and provide real-time feedback and guidance, thereby optimizing the therapeutic process. Our Clinician Portal allows for a personalized approach not only enhances treatment efficacy but also fosters a sense of empowerment and agency in the individual's journey towards overcoming their phobia.
Further Applications Becoming Reality
Beyond phobia treatment, the paper illuminates a myriad of potential applications for VR interventions across various mental health disorders.
Anxiety Disorders
Additionally, VR technology holds immense potential in addressing anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and social anxiety disorder (SAD). Through virtual scenarios designed to evoke anxiety-provoking situations, individuals can practice relaxation techniques, cognitive reframing, and social skills in a realistic yet supportive setting. This experiential learning approach fosters confidence, resilience, and adaptive coping mechanisms, empowering individuals to navigate real-world challenges with greater ease.
At oVRcome, we’ve developed a social anxiety program combining psychoeducation and immersive virtual environments to allow sufferers and clients to combat their fears in a safe, constructive way.
PTSD
One notable area of exploration is the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). VR-based exposure therapy has shown promising results in recreating traumatic experiences in a controlled environment, allowing individuals to process and integrate their memories more effectively. By immersing individuals in virtual scenarios reminiscent of their trauma, therapists can guide them through the desensitization process while providing a sense of safety and control.
Substance AbuseÂ
Furthermore, VR therapy shows promise in the realm of substance use disorders (SUDs), offering immersive environments to simulate craving triggers, relapse scenarios, and coping strategies [3]. By exposing individuals to high-risk situations in a controlled setting, therapists can assess and address maladaptive behaviors, strengthen coping skills, and reduce the risk of relapse. This proactive approach to addiction treatment emphasizes prevention, harm reduction, and long-term recovery.
Eating disorders
The authors also identified that VR interventions can provide safe exposure to food as well as combat body image issues in people suffering from disordered eating. One case study, explored in the Journal of Clinical Psychology in 2019, found that VR was able to drive positive changes in multisensory bodily integration [4].Â
Psychotic disorders
Psychotic disorders were also identified as an interesting area, where research is demonstrating that VR can be a powerful delivery method for CBT [5]. Using VR was also identified as being cost-effective in clinical settings, something that oVRcome has stressed as important in an industry increasingly stretched to deal with a growing mental health crisis. VR has also been found to reduce both the severity and distress of auditory hallucinations, hinting at a fascinating future for treatment possibilities of psychotic disorders [6].
Wrapping Up
At oVRcome we were excited to see this paper, as it underscores the transformative potential of VR technology in mental health care. From revolutionizing exposure therapy for phobias to expanding the horizons of PTSD, anxiety, and addiction treatment, VR interventions offer a new paradigm for personalized, immersive, and effective therapeutic experiences.
All told, it’s an exciting frontier. At oVRcome, we’ll be watching closely — and innovating to make sure we continue to offer cutting-edge treatment programs based on the latest research and technology.
As psychologists and therapists embrace this exciting frontier, the possibilities for enhancing mental health outcomes are boundless, ushering in a new era of hope, healing, and transformation. Explore what oVRcome offers clinicians and discover how you can bring this technology into your practice today.
References:
Lacey, C., Frampton, C., & Beaglehole, B. (2022). OVRcome – Self-guided virtual reality for specific phobias: A randomised controlled trial. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry.
Garaets etc. Advances in immersive virtual reality interventions for mental disorders: A new reality? Current Opinion in Psychology, Volume 41, October 2021,Â
D.Y. Kim, J.H. Lee, The effects of training to reduce automatic action tendencies toward alcohol using the virtual alcohol approach-avoidance task in heavy social drinkers, Cyberpsychol, Behav Soc Netw, 22 (2019)
S. Serino, N. Polli, G. Riva, From avatars to body swapping: the use of virtual reality for assessing and treating body-size distortion in individuals with anorexia, J Clin Psychol (2019),
M. Rus-Calafell, P. Garety, E. Sason, T.J.K.K. Craig, L.R. Valmaggia, Virtual reality in the assessment and treatment of psychosis: a systematic review of its utility, acceptability and effectiveness, Psychol Med, 48 (2018), pp. 362-391
T.K. Craig, M. Rus-Calafell, T. Ward, J.P. Leff, M. Huckvale, E. Howarth, R. Emsley, P.A. Garety, AVATAR therapy for auditory verbal hallucinations in people with psychosis: a single-blind, randomised controlled trial, Lancet Psychiatry, 5 (2018), pp. 31-40