EXPOSURE-BASED THERAPY VR
Exposure-based therapy is a process widely used within
cognitive behavioral therapy, which consists of modifying the sensitivity to
stimuli that produce anguish or fear, through exposure therapy the patient is
put in systematic and safe contact with the situation that affects him.
generates conflict or with stimuli that trigger anxiety, fear or that produce
negative emotions, with which a new learning can be established: extinction,
which contributes to weaken previously learned associations, so that the person
has more opportunities to elaborate an action above the initially established
fear, one of its objectives is desensitization. Generally, exposure is
suggested gradually and assessing different variables and personal factors of
the patient, rather than a sudden immersion.
As the world continues to develop new technologies, it also
improves treatments in the mental health field. In exposure therapy there are
several risk factors. For example, when confronting a phobia of arachnids,
there is a danger that the animal will attack. In this type of therapy there
may be situations that are not under the full control of the researchers or
therapists, and there are possibilities of creating unforeseen reaction without
any control. It is difficult to predict the behavior of an animal, in the case
of dealing with phobias related to animals. For this reason, a new intervention
has emerged thanks to the use of new technologies that provide a controlled and
safe environment for this type of therapy. Virtual reality technology has
become very popular because it offers an infinity of simulations of situations
that can help, without any risk, the development of this therapy. “We conclude
that VR is a useful tool to improve exposure therapy and it can be a good
option to analyze the processes and mechanisms involved in exposure therapy and
the ways this strategy can be enhanced.” (Botella et al., 2017).
Botella, C.,
Fernández-Álvarez, J., Guillén, V. et al. Recent Progress in Virtual
Reality Exposure Therapy for Phobias: A Systematic Review. Curr Psychiatry Rep
19, 42 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-017-0788-4
Using Vr exposure to treat phobias seems like a great link between imaginary senstization and invivo sensitization.
ReplyDeleteHello Alejandro,
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you on all the points you made above. Virtual reality technology has revolutionized all branches of science. It would be helpful in the treatment of any type of phobia. Also, it would seem that it would be more cost efficient for patients who cannot afford to hire a therapist to do one on one therapy in the field. For example, it seems that I might have Aviophobia; I can’t have the luxury of hiring a therapist and doing one on one therapy on a flight for a couple of hours, not to add money to the equation with the several sessions that I would need before the phobia gradually weakens (extinction). One question that I do have about the use of technology is what the side effect of being exposed to VRT for a long period of time would be? We shall see hopefully in a not far future. In my opinion, as technology keeps making rapid advances, so should the offices of mental Health professionals.