title: Reality graded exposure therapy with physiological monitoring for the treatment of combat related post traumatic stress disorder: a pilot study.
abstract: A high percentage of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) combat veterans have been diagnosed with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during and following their respective combat tours. Virtual Reality (VR) treatment has been documented as an exceptional treatment for anxiety disorders and specifically for PTSD. An Office of Naval Research (ONR) funded pilot study, completed by the Virtual Reality Medical Center and Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD), investigated the use of Virtual Reality Graded Exposure Therapy (VR-GET) study with participants who had been diagnosed with PTSD following their combat deployments. A significant reduction in PTSD symptoms severity was noted. Implications for treatment with VR-GET and future research areas of investigation, including the use of VR-GET with smart phones and the internet, are suggested.
authors.affiliation: Virtual Reality Medical Center, 9565 Waples Street, San Diego, CA 92121, USA. dpwcapt@aol.com
authors.forename: Dennis Patrick
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Wood
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Webb-Murphy
authors.forename: Robert N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: McLay
authors.forename: Brenda K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Wiederhold
authors.forename: James L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Spira
authors.forename: Scott
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Johnston
authors.forename: Robert L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Koffman
authors.forename: Mark D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Wiederhold
authors.forename: Jeff
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pyne
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000379:methods*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D014857:Warfare; D055815:Young Adult