Importance of Virtual Reality to a Controlled Stimulus
Abstract
This study is a follow up to two projects, funded by the Office of Naval Research, which demonstrated that Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy was safe and effective for the treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in Service Members who served in Iraq or Afghanistan, and that it worked better than treatment as usual. In this study, we are attempting to discover if the Virtual Realty is actually the active component of the treatment. Participants with PTSD are randomized to receive the same treatment that was successful in the previous projects, or the same treatment in which a simple, still computer image replaces the Virtual Reality. Progress on the grant was initially delayed pending secondary review from the Department of the Navy, and approval to recruit from TATRC. During the intervening period, we performed clinical cases using the VR to train therapists, registered the project with clinicaltrials.gov, upgrade our software, and establishing recruiting pools. Several volunteer therapists and technicians were recruited to assist the project. We received approval in September 2009, and are now running with 8 patients enrolled in the first 10 week block of treatment. We have also gone through annual review for our IRB, and have been approved for our second year. We anticipate our post treatment assessments being completed in early November 2009.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA564089
Entities
People
- Robert N. Mclay