Research Shows Promise for VR and Other Technologies in Mental Health Care From: Medical Design Technology - 05/11/2017 A growing body of evidence suggests that virtual reality (VR) technology can be an effective part of treatment for phobias, posttraumatic stress disorder, and other mental health conditions, according to a research review in the May/June issue of the Harvard Review of Psychiatry. Virtual reality applications can simulate exposures that would be costly or impractical to re-create in real life, such as airplane flight or combat conditions. It also enables the therapist to control the "dose" and specific aspects of the exposure environment. For example, the patient can "virtually" experience repeated takeoffs and landings without going on an actual flight. Based on available evidence, VR has significant benefits in these types of anxiety disorders. Studies of flight phobia have reported significant and lasting reductions in flight-related anxiety. Patients report satisfaction with VR-based therapy, and in some cases find it more acceptable than traditional therapy. Virtual reality has been studied in a wide range of conditions as well, including panic disorder, schizophrenia, acute and chronic pain, addictions (including smoking), and eating disorders. However, research on VR applications has important limitations including small numbers of patients and lack of comparison groups. The authors note that mental health care providers will need specific training before integrating VR approaches into clinical practice. Read the entire article at: https://www.mdtmag.com/news/2017/05/virtual-reality-psychiatric-treatment-research-shows-promise-vr-and-other-technologies-mental-health Link: The Use of Virtual Reality Technology in the Treatment of Anxiety and Other Psychiatric Disorders http://journals.lww.com/hrpjournal/Fulltext/2017/05000/The_Use_of_Virtual_Reality_Technology_in_the.3.aspx Related: Virtual Reality Can Help Treat Severe Paranoia https://www.mdtmag.com/news/2016/05/virtual-reality-can-help-treat-severe-paranoia New Mobile Health Platform eMindLog Helps Consumers Track Stress, Anxiety, Depression for Mental Wellbeing https://www.mdtmag.com/news/2017/03/new-mobile-health-platform-emindlog-helps-consumers-track-stress-anxiety-depression-mental-wellbeing