Virtual Iraq showing signs of helping post traumatic stress disorders

Posted Feb 20, 2007 at 6:04AM EST by QJ Staff

Listed in: Tags: gaming accessories, Iraq, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, virtual reality

About 4% to 6% of British soldiers come back from Iraq suffering from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but a whopping 20% of US soldiers suffer from PTSD when they get home. While it can be attributed to the fact that more US soldiers are in the thick of things, it doesn't change the fact that 20% is still high.

PTSD. PTSD is no joke. The most common symptoms of this condition include reliving traumatic events through dreams and flashbacks. This makes the sufferer to either become paranoid or to "tune out" and become emotionally numb.

Treatment for PTSD. The accepted method of treatment in scientific journals is the gradual exposure of the subject to the stimuli or triggers that cause anxiety. This, of course should be done in a supportive and controlled environment.

Virtual Iraq. Virtual Iraq has shown some promise in lowering the effects of PTSD in the people it has been tested on. Virtual Iraq uses virtual reality to slowly subject the patient to the cause of his or her anxiety: Iraq.

The system setup is simple. Basically the patient is asked to wear a headset which will be showing scenes in Iraq. This includes city streets, desert roads, small villages, building interiors, convoys, and checkpoints. The graphics are similar to those found in Full Spectrum Warrior for the Xbox.

Sounds, vibrations and odors can be induced by the doctor administrating the treatment. Among the smells that can be released are gunpowder, cordite, diesel, burning rubber, body odour, spices, and even cooked lamb. During this session, the patient's heart rate and skin conductivity are kept track of; these offer a good measure of the patient's stress level. Each treatment lasts for an hour with the patient urged to speak about his experiences.

While there haven't been enough patients to conclusively prove that Virtual Iraq is a definite cure, the results have been very good. A patient continues to show improvement even three months after the end of the treatment.

Also, the equipment can be afforded by many clinics: it will cost about Â£ 5,000 (about US $ 9,800).

We hope that this therapy will be a success so we have additional ways to help our fighting men and women when they get back.

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Virtual Iraq showing signs of helping post traumatic stress disorders

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