title: Development of a VR therapy application for Iraq war military personnel with PTSD.
abstract: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is reported to be caused by traumatic events that are outside the range of usual human experiences including (but not limited to) military combat, violent personal assault, being kidnapped or taken hostage and terrorist attacks. Initial data suggests that 1 out of 6 returning Iraq War military personnel are exhibiting symptoms of depression, anxiety and PTSD. Virtual Reality (VR) exposure therapy has been used in previous treatments of PTSD patients with reports of positive outcomes. The aim of the current paper is to specify the rationale, design and development of an Iraq War PTSD VR application that is being created from the virtual assets that were initially developed for theX-Box game entitled Full Spectrum Warrior which was inspired by a combat tactical training simulation, Full Spectrum Command.
authors.affiliation: University of Southern California Institute for Creative Technologies, 13274 Fiji Way, Marina del Rey, CA 90292, USA.
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rizzo
authors.forename: Jarrell
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pair
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: McNerney
authors.forename: Ernie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Eastlund
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Manson
authors.forename: Jon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gratch
authors.forename: Randy
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.forename: Bill
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Swartout
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D005845:Georgia; D007493:Iraq; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000628:therapy*; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D014857:Warfare