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Dr Shock MD PhD
Three fast track articles were recently published on CyberPsychology and Behavior about the treatment of PTSD with virtual reality exposure therapy. Exposure therapy is the most evidence based treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). More than 18 studies have been published on the use of virtual reality exposure treatment for PTSD.
One of the articles is a case series of treatment with virtual reality exposure treatment within the combat theater. Until now this treatment was done at home. In this article a portable set of virtual reality machines was take to Iraq for treatment of PTSD within the combat theater, at the front in Fallujah in Iraq. Camp Fallujah was a Marine base located outside the city of Fallujah. The virtual reality was compared to traditional exposure therapy. This study is the retrospective review of cases, not a randomized prospective controlled trial.
How is Virtual Reality (VR) done?
VR simulation of situations from Iraq and Afghanistan were provided by means of a two-computer system. The client computer provided 3D images of wartime situations viewed through a head-mounted display (HMD). Movement of the HMD and a joystick controller allowed the participant to move and interact with the simulated world. The second computer served as controller and was used by the therapist to control sights and sounds within the simulation to re-create
situations such as a base camp, battlefield, Iraqi marketplace, or military convoy coming under attack
Six patients were treated with VR, four patients with traditional ET. Both treatments were efficacious and there was no significant …