Virtual reality helps paranoia patients face their fears
Virtual reality helps paranoia patients face their fears
The simulations cured severe paranoia in over half the subjects.
Virtual reality has vast potential for therapy, since it can put folks in stressful situations
without any fear of harm. Researcher at Oxford University have
demonstrated how effective it can be for treating severe paranoia in
patients
. The team selected 30 subjects receiving treatment for "persecutory delusions," a serious form of the disease. They were then outfitted with a $24,000 NVis SX111 head-mounted display built for military and other types of training, and placed into typically stressful social locations like elevators and subway trains.
. The team selected 30 subjects receiving treatment for "persecutory delusions," a serious form of the disease. They were then outfitted with a $24,000 NVis SX111 head-mounted display built for military and other types of training, and placed into typically stressful social locations like elevators and subway trains.
Researchers told one half of the patients to use their regular coping
mechanisms by avoiding eye contact and any social interactions. The
other half were told to drop their defenses by approaching
(creepy-looking) avatars and even holding staring contests with them. At
the end of the half-hour sessions, 50 percent of the latter group were
cured of severe paranoia , and were much less distressed in real world
situations, too. Even the first group improved, with 20 percent of
participants showing lower levels of paranoia.
"Paranoia all too often leads to isolation, unhappiness, and profound distress.
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But the exceptionally positive immediate results for the patients in this study show a new route forward in treatment," says Oxford Professor Daniel Freeman."In just a thirty minute session, those who used the right psychological techniques showed major reductions in paranoia." The team needs to test it to see if the benefits will stay over the long term, but it's another promising use for VR as therapy.
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"Paranoia all too often leads to isolation, unhappiness, and profound distress.
Follow Greenwayenterprise on Twitter @Tweet_Greenway.
Follow Greenwayenterprise on Instagram@Greenway_enterprise
Like our Facebook Page @Greenwayenterprise
But the exceptionally positive immediate results for the patients in this study show a new route forward in treatment," says Oxford Professor Daniel Freeman."In just a thirty minute session, those who used the right psychological techniques showed major reductions in paranoia." The team needs to test it to see if the benefits will stay over the long term, but it's another promising use for VR as therapy.
You may also like:
SoundCloud Go music streaming expands to the UK, Ireland
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Follow Greenwayenterprise on Twitter @Tweet_Greenway.
Follow Greenwayenterprise on Instagram@Greenway_enterprise
Like our Facebook Page @Greenwayenterprise
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