The%20Use%20of%20Virtual%20Reality%20in%20Clinical%20Psychology

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The Use of Virtual Reality in Clinical Psychology

• Jo Hunt
• Cara Heneghan
• Jemma Hogwood
• Kelly Harris

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Virtual reality used in

• Phobias
• PTSD
• Male sexual dysfunction
• Schizophrenia
• Addictions
• Autistic Spectrum Disorder
• Eating disorders
• Obesity

3
Why is it used?

• Active participation with 3D world
• Learn to manipulate problems
• High level of control
• Safer, less embarrassing
• Administered in traditional setting
• Potential for visualisation
• Active learning encourages motivation
• Objectively measure behaviour
• Individualise treatment
• Riva 2005 Mantovani et al 2003 Weiss Katz 2004

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The Controversy

• Can therapeutic experiences in the virtual
  environment be successfully transferred to real
  life situations?

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Treatments for obesity

• Exercise and dieting
• Pharmacological drugs
• Surgery
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
• Self help groups
• Telephone therapy
• Internet e-mail
• Virtual Reality
• Riva 2005 Sutton 2005

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The Case Study Riva et al 2001

• Experimental 7 sessions of VR Treatment
  including low-calorie diet exercise
• Control No VR sessions
• Same diet exercise programme
• psycho-nutritional group.
• VREDIM (VR for Eating Disorders modification)
• VEBIM (Virtual Environment for Body image
  modification)

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Methodology

• Psychometric Tests Assessments
• FRS (Figure Rating Scale) Thompson Altabe
  (1991)
• CDRS (Contour Drawing Rating Scale) Thompson
  Gray (1995)
• Also combines therapeutic methods Socratic,
  Miracle Question, Cognitive and Behavioural
  approaches.
• Head Mounted Display system
• Joystick

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The Zones

• Zone 1 Stimuli that elicits abnormal eating
  behaviours
• Miracle Question Imagine life without the
  complaint.
• Other Zones To assess modify symptoms of
  anxiety related to food exposure Intergrating
  CBT methods (including Countering and Label
  Shifting).
• Throughout all sessions the therapist uses the
  Socratic Style.

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Results

• Experimental Reduced body dissatisfaction
• Reduced level of anxiety
• Increased self-efficacy
• Reduced over-eating
• Weight loss (mean 11.33kg)
• Control Increased exercise
• Improved ability and anxiety scores
• Weight loss (mean 7.58kg)

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Advantages

• Integration of different methods.
• VR enhanced traditional methods due to increased
  presence.
• Impacted aspects of body image disturbance not
  usually addressed by CBT
• - self-efficacy
• - body experience disturbances

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Body Image

• Self-efficacy
• - Increased control and motivation to
  change.
• Body Experience Disturbances
• - New experience and awareness
• of body.
• - Modified attitude to body due to
  differentiation between
• assumption and perception.

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Criticisms of Study

• The study only provides preliminary results
• The social aspect of obesity? (The Psychologist,
  April 2005)
• High cost, low access

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The Controversy

• Can the experiences of the virtual environment be
  transferred to the real world?
• Results suggest in this case Yes!
• BUT some issues to consider
• Lack of qualitative evaluations from the client
  perspective
• Role of motivation
• Role of the therapist
• Clear clinical guidelines needed

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Conclusion

• Not suggesting isolated use of VR
• Integration of traditional psychological
  therapies into the VE
• Cognitive
• Behavioural
• Psychodynamic
• Experiential (Riva 2003)
• Different aspects of problem are made accessible

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References

• Mantovani, F., and Castelnuovo, G., (2003). Sense
  of presence in virtual training enhancing skills
  acquisition and transfer of knowledge through
  learning experience in virtual environments. In
  Riva, G., Davide, F., and Ijsselsteijn, W.A.,
  eds., Being there concepts, effects and
  measurement of user presence in synthetic
  environments. Amsterdam IOS Press.
• Riva, G., (2005). Virtual reality in the
  treatment of eating disorders and obesity. IT and
  Communications. www.cybertherapy.info
• Riva, G., (2003). Virtual Environments in
  Clinical Psychology. Psychotherapy
  theory/research/practice/training, Vol 40(1/2),
  pp.1-9.
• Riva, G., Bacchetta, M., Baruffi, M. and
  Molinari, E., (2001). Virtual Reality-based
  multidimensional therapy for the treatment of
  body image disturbances in obesity a controlled
  study. CyberPsychology and Behaviour, Vol 4(4),
  pp.511-526.
• Sutton, J., ed., (2005). A Big Issue (Special
  Feature). Psychologist, 18(4), pp.215-226.
• Weiss, P.L. and Katz, N. (2004). The potential of
  virtual reality for rehabilitation. Journal of
  rehabilitation research and development, 41(5).