1.
Recent Progress in Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for Phobias: A Systematic Review.
Botella, C, Fernández-Álvarez, J, Guillén, V, García-Palacios, A, Baños, R
Current psychiatry reports. 2017;(7):42
Abstract
This review is designed to systematically examine the available evidence about virtual reality exposure therapy's (VRET) efficacy for phobias, critically describe some of the most important challenges in the field and discuss possible directions. Evidence reveals that virtual reality (VR) is an effective treatment for phobias and useful for studying specific issues, such as pharmacological compounds and behavioral manipulations, that can enhance treatment outcomes. In addition, some variables, such as sense of presence in virtual environments, have a significant influence on outcomes, but further research is needed to better understand their role in therapeutic outcomes. 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. In the coming years, there will be a significant expansion of VR in routine practice in clinical contexts.
2.
Virtual Reality in the Assessment and Treatment of Weight-Related Disorders.
Wiederhold, BK, Riva, G, Gutiérrez-Maldonado, J
Cyberpsychology, behavior and social networking. 2016;(2):67-73
Abstract
Virtual Reality (VR) has, for the past two decades, proven to be a useful adjunctive tool for both assessment and treatment of patients with eating disorders and obesity. VR allows an individual to enter scenarios that simulate real-life situations and to encounter food cues known to trigger his/her disordered eating behavior. As well, VR enables three-dimensional figures of the patient's body to be presented, helping him/her to reach an awareness of body image distortion and then providing the opportunity to confront and correct distortions, resulting in a more realistic body image and a decrease in body image dissatisfaction. In this paper, we describe seminal studies in this research area.