Combat trauma theater
Virtual reality technologies are helping combat veterans overcome the mental
   wounds of war
From: Government Health IT - 04/02/2007
By: Bob Brewin

Sarah Miyahira, co-director of the Virtual Reality Behavioral Health Program
and Laboratory, a VA psychologist at the Pacific Telehealth and Technology
Hui, wants to use this immersive experience to help treat Iraq war veterans
suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. 

Using virtual reality to treat PTSD has its roots in the traditional
treatment for the disorder: imaginal exposure therapy. In that therapy, a
patient repeatedly describes traumatic events to a therapist and, in the
process, tries to overcome memories. Iraq veterans have memories similar to
those that have afflicted more than 800,000 Vietnam War veterans.  

The virtual reality experience benefits those who cannot or will not conjure
the images that cause them stress, Miyahira said. Virtual reality therapy
helps break down those barriers by gradually reintroducing patients to the
scenes of their trauma. Patients usually attend 10 therapist sessions during
a five-week period, Miyahira said.  

Read the entire article at:
http://www.govhealthit.com/article98073-04-02-07-Print&newsletter=yes

Links:
Pacific Telehealth and Technology Hui
http://www.pacifichui.org/

Sarah Miyahira, PhD
Director of HUI Intramural Research
Pacific Islands Health Care System
808/433-1912

Evaluating virtual reality therapy for treating acute post traumatic stress disorder
http://www.hoise.com/vmw/05/articles/vmw/LV-VM-05-05-3.html

Treating Anxiety with Virtual Reality Exposure
http://www.webmd.com/content/article/1/1700_50444.htm

A virtual cure
http://www.apa.org/monitor/julaug05/cure.html

Virtual war, real healing
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-virtual9feb09,0,6132803.story?coll=la-home-headlines

Combat trauma theater
http://govhealthit.com/article97677-02-19-07-Print