The application of virtual reality to the treatment of PTSD following the WTC attack.
Recent research suggests that virtual reality (VR) enhanced exposure therapy may enhance the efficacy of treatment through increasing patient engagement in the exposure. This study evaluated the use of VR in the treatment of PTSD following the WTC attack of September 11, 2001. Individuals in a 14 session VR-enhanced treatment (n=9) were compared to a waitlist (WL) control group (n=8). ANOVA showed a significant interaction of time by group (p<.01) with a large effect size of 1.53. The VR group showed significantly greater post-treatment decline in CAPS scores compared to the WL. Our preliminary data suggests that VR is an effective tool for enhancing exposure therapy for both civilians and disaster workers who suffer from PTSD.
Difede
Joann
J
Program for Anxiety and Traumatic Stress Studies, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, 525 East 68th Street, Box 200, New York, NY 10021, USA. jdifede@med.cornell.edu
Cukor
Judith
J
Patt
Ivy
I
Giosan
Cezar
C
Hoffman
Hunter
H
D000328:Adult; D003196:Computer Graphics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009519:New York City; D011613:Psychotherapy; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000628:therapy*; D023481:Terrorism