A virtual reality exposure therapy application for Iraq war military personnel with post traumatic stress disorder: From training to toy to treatment

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is reported to be caused by traumatic events that are outside the range of usual human experiences including (but not limited to) military combat, violent personal assault, being kidnapped or taken hostage and terrorist attacks. Initial data suggests that 1 out of 6 Iraq War veterans are exhibiting symptoms of depression, anxiety and PTSD. Virtual Reality (VR) exposure treatment has been used in previous treatments of PTSD patients with reports of positive outcomes. The aim of the current paper is to specify the rationale, design and development of a Virtual Iraq PTSD VR application that has been created from the virtual assets that were initially developed for a combat tactical training simulation, which then served as the inspiration for the X-Box game entitled Full Spectrum Warrior.

[1]  W. Alexander.  American psychiatric association. , 2008, P & T : a peer-reviewed journal for formulary management.

[2]  B. Rothbaum,et al.  Virtual reality exposure therapy for Vietnam veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder. , 2001, The Journal of clinical psychiatry.

[3]  D A Grayson,et al.  Medical-care costs associated with posttraumatic stress disorder in Vietnam veterans. , 2000, The Australian and New Zealand journal of psychiatry.

[4]  B. Rothbaum,et al.  Exposure therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder. , 2002, American journal of psychotherapy.

[5]  B. Rothbaum,et al.  Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for PTSD Vietnam Veterans: A Case Study , 1999, Journal of traumatic stress.

[6]  C. Hoge,et al.  Combat duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, mental health problems and barriers to care. , 2004, U.S. Army Medical Department journal.

[7]  Brenda K. Wiederhold,et al.  Virtual reality therapy for anxiety disorders: Advances in evaluation and treatment. , 2005 .

[8]  Albert A. Rizzo,et al.  Analysis of assets for virtual reality applications in neuropsychology , 2004 .

[9]  N Laor,et al.  The Function of Image Control in the Psychophysiology of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder , 1998, Journal of traumatic stress.

[10]  A. Morral,et al.  Influence of emotional engagement and habituation on exposure therapy for PTSD. , 1998, Journal of consulting and clinical psychology.

[11]  Albert Rizzo,et al.  Virtual reality for psychotherapy: Current reality and future possibilities. , 2003 .

[12]  Robert J. Ursano,et al.  Effective Treatments for PTSD , 2002 .

[13]  P W Lavori,et al.  Utility of psychophysiological measurement in the diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder: results from a Department of Veterans Affairs Cooperative Study. , 1998, Journal of consulting and clinical psychology.

[14]  Hunter G. Hoffman,et al.  Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for World Trade Center Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: A Case Report , 2002, Cyberpsychology Behav. Soc. Netw..