What do you think of when you hear the word ‘virtual reality (VR)? Most think of sci-fi movies and highly advanced video games. From a technological point of view, VR is a set of advanced technology, including head-mounted display (HMD), trackers, and a 3D visualizing environment. However, from a psychological perspective, VR is a simulative, cognitive, and embodied technology, making it an excellent scientifically-proven tool for improving the wellbeing of those suffering from mental health issues (Riva, 2022). Soon there will be nothing unusual or novel about people suffering from anxiety, stress, low moods, depressive conditions – including trauma – and more, attending VR therapy sessions to experience the value of VR for changing the neuroplasticity of their brains in order to improve the quality of their lives. We are leaders in immersive Virtual Reality on the Sunshine Coast. Read more to discover the science behind IVRT:
VR is defined as a digital application via which the users can navigate and interact with a 3D computer-generated and computer-maintained environment in real-time (Corno & Bouchard, 2015). But before discussing VR in detail, let’s take a look at what constitutes reality.
Reality is typically based on our perception and experience of the natural or physical world. However, the difference between virtual and real is based on psychological relativity. This principle makes the same stimuli perceived as different by different people and by the same person at different times.
Taking this relativistic approach, reality or grounded reality is the perceptual integration of stimuli judged as natural or real. VR is the externally mediated presentation of sensory stimuli that let the person perceive the artificial environment as original and real (Ryan et al., 2018).
VR is usually classified as immersive and non-immersive VR. Non-immersive technology is what we experience every day in the form of visual and auditory stimuli from our laptop and desktop screens or our headphones. However, this experience doesn’t fully occlude our senses (Riva, 2022).
On the other hand, immersive VR technology is a highly advanced system where the person is separated from the real-world stimuli through the use of a HMD that blocks visual contact with the real world by replacing it with a computer-generated 3D environment. Immediately the senses pick up the computer-generated cues and scenarios. While he is aware at the conscious level that he is in a virtual reality environment his brain is not able to tell the difference between VR and reality. Therefore, each time he enters into the VR environment he is effectively giving his brain the evidence it needs to believe that this is safe and that he can actually do this. Ultimately the exercise is teaching the brain to relax into the situation that previously causes stress and fear
Moreover, HMD has embedded sensors that adapt the digital image to different viewing positions like up, down, and sideways (Riva, 2022).
VR is gaining more and more popularity in almost every field of life. When we consider the psychology and mental health domains, psychologists and behavioural scientists have tried to create VR systems for decades to study human behaviour and psychological variables. Milgram’s obedience study and Zimbardo prison experiments are well-known examples of this fact (Ryan et al., 2018).
However, with the advancement in technology, the mental health and wellbeing framework is also evolving. Digital technology and VR have significantly extended the practitioners’ and researchers’ abilities to improve patients’ mental health and well-being. It helps them understand the dysfunctional behaviours in a controlled, multisensory and interactive immersive environment (Ryan et al., 2018).
Also, an immersive VR environment helps in studying and treating psychological illnesses. Immersive technologies help control the variables and measure the efficacy of a therapy. It also helps create scenarios for treatment purposes that are otherwise difficult to encounter in real life, i.e., creating scenes depicting height to treat fear of height (Ryan et al., 2018).
Various research studies have supported the use of VR for the treatment of psychological disorders and illnesses, including anxiety, phobias, PTSD, OCD, depression, and addiction (Riva, 2022; Rizzo & Bouchard, 2019).
Following are some advantages of VR over traditional face-to-face therapy (Riva, 2022).
- VR saves the cost of commuting and also saves time for the therapist and patient.
- Almost every situation can be simulated in VR, which is otherwise not feasible in grounded reality.
- The immersive and interactive nature of VR improves the engagement and adherence of the patients towards therapy.
- VR allows complete control of the situation by framing it positively.
- VR is superior than imaginal exposure in therapy because it allows the individual to feel present in a situation that seems real.
- VR ensures the privacy and confidentiality of the patients.
These are a few benefits of VR use in mental health settings.
Apart from treating mental health issues, VR setting also helps improve the wellbeing of individuals. Positive emotions and wellbeing-related experiences can also be induced in a VR setting. VR is an ideal tool to create positive feelings for individuals who cannot feel otherwise because of certain disabilities and difficulties.
For example, a hospitalised or bed-ridden person can walk on the streets and feel the hustle, climb the mountains, and experience the scenery. VR technology is found to help improve the quality of life and wellbeing of patients with disabilities (Yaden et al., 2018).
Thus, immersive VR is the new face of mental health setup. It gives us control of our experiences, lets us immerse in experiences that are difficult to indulge in grounded reality. VR is undoubtedly gaining wide acceptance from scientists, researchers, and practitioners. And the rate at which the technology is advancing and becoming accessible to everyone, VR will soon become compatible with other widely used traditional therapies like cognitive behaviour therapy and exposure therapy.
If you would like to know more about how fully immersive Virtual Reality for Mental Health could assist you, please contact us here for a free chat and demonstration highlighting its specific benefits for you.