[Virtual reality exposure therapy for post-traumatic stress disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders and anxiety disorders: Indications, added value and limitations].

[Virtual reality exposure therapy for post-traumatic stress disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders and anxiety disorders: Indications, added value and limitations]. Encephale. 2020 Mar 06;: Authors: Lognoul M, Nasello J, Triffaux JM Abstract The exposure in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a well-known intervention, widely investigated in scientific research. Several studies have shown the benefits of this intervention in the treatment of anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD) and post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD). The different exposure techniques are mainly based on the emotional processing of fear theory and use an emotional stimulation of fear, following by its habituation. However, new approaches have emerged and are based on the inhibitory learning theory. The virtual reality technology allows emotional involvement from patients and represents a complementary approach to the classical modalities of exposure therapy (e.g., mental or in vivo expositions). This modern approach presents specific features that need to be taken into account by the therapist. Firstly, the presence feeling, which is defined as the "be there" feeling. This feeling is dependent on immersive technical features and personality factors. Secondly, virtual reality sickness, similar to motion sickness, represents a limitation that might prejudice a virtual therapy. The main scientific investigations of Virtual Reality Exposure The...
Source: L Encephale - Category: Psychiatry Tags: Encephale Source Type: research