How Virtual Reality Tech Can Improve Mental Health Services

The pandemic situation was quite challenging for mental health and counseling service providers. Coronavirus not only increased the demand for behavioral health services but also restricted the use of regular treatments. Fortunately, scientific studies have shown that virtual reality (VR) therapy can potentially address the challenges.

Initially, experts had several health concerns about the new concept. Nowadays, however, VR technology is more likely to improve our gray matter. The past few years have seen a new wave of psychological studies that pioneer VR to diagnose and manage conditions from mental health problems to Alzheimer's disease to chronic pain.

Most of these solutions are still undergoing clinical trials. However, those designed for exposure therapy have already made their way into therapists' premises and health facilities. Their use is still not widespread, but it's reasonable to question whether it's the real deal based on the excitement around VR gaming and entertainment.

What is Virtual Reality Therapy?

VR behavioral health therapy leverages virtual reality technology to treat mental health problems using visual immersion. The advanced approach can address psychological disorders, and users get to enjoy virtual rehabilitation.

The physician uses a visual immersion device that projects an artificial environment with a simulated experience to the patient during the procedure. It's this visual experience that helps correct the disorder.

First, the patient puts on a headset linked to an application that's controlled by their physician using a tablet. This comprises a speaker system that offers an immersive experience, guiding them through the process.

The specialist will communicate the steps with the patient throughout the procedure, gradually exposing them to any sources of distress and phobias. They'll also keep the exposure pace comfortable and implement breathing, relaxation, and other guided meditation activities that make them feel safe and well. The objective is to increase the patient's tolerance to distressing and anxiety-provoking situations. 

Mental Health Applications of VR Therapy

Here are the different areas where the treatment is applied:

Immersive Therapy 

VR aids immersive therapy by improving access through automation of the exposure therapy aspect of behavioral healthcare. It also helps patients do things that are otherwise impossible to achieve during face-to-face treatment. Notably, the treatment doesn't just replicate successful therapies, but it pushes them even further.

A great example is the treatment of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). The condition presents symptoms like avoidance, hyperarousal, and other re-experiencing symptoms like nightmares, intrusive images, and flashbacks.

VR therapy tools can help by simulating war situations through customizable environments. A therapist will regulate the occurrences, aligning content with the subject's memories. This allows these flashbacks to be processed, and the person will re-experience the situation to resolve the problem.

The use of VR technology alongside a qualified therapist is more acceptable by patients, and the results will be the same as, or even better than, traditional PTSD therapy.

VR Therapy for Psychosis Treatment  

Besides anxiety, depression, and PTSD, psychosis patients can benefit from VR therapy as well. Usually, the individual experiencing the treatment understands that it's not real. As a result, they'll get to adjust their feelings towards the treacherous simulations, getting new experiences and new physiological responses.

The participant will interact with computer-generated avatars and simulations, and they'll gradually achieve a more fine-tuned approach to the problem in terms of cognitive-behavioral health. VR-focused cognitive training delivers a significantly higher overall cognitive score than traditional therapist-administered treatment.  

VR Therapy for Common Phobias 

VR Phobia therapy is among the numerous interventions for behavioral health problems currently in development or within clinics already. The use of VR to treat mental health issues has been around since the mid-'90s, but it has become more accessible and feasible due to the reduced costs and recent enhancements in headset capabilities. Consequently, research in VR-enabled therapy is booming.

The most established application of this therapy is for anxiety disorders. For instance, in simple phobias where the patient is struggling with one predominant dread, VR can help present them to their fear safely and gradually until they recover.

Benefits of VR Therapy 

Virtual reality technology has substantially improved counseling and mental health services. It's a better solution than traditional treatment in the following ways:

• Better mental health outcomes - VR-assisted therapy has been proven to deliver quick and lasting mental health improvements, sometimes offering better results than face-to-face therapy. A great example is Oxford VR's therapy treatment for fear of heights, which has proven to reduce the problem by up to 70%. This demonstrates the immense potential to address numerous other mental health conditions. 
• The ability to offer quality treatment at scale – The shortage of qualified mental health therapists, stigma, and long waiting lists leave many people untreated. But since VR-centered treatments are automated and embed specialists within the program, facilities can provide evidence-based treatment quicker than traditional setups. As a result, more patients will get treatment.
• A better mental health experience – A vast number of mental health patients usually drop out of therapy and continue battling the same problem or worse. Fortunately, VR therapy now offers a superior experience. Patients experience powerful simulations without the perceived dangers, leading to immersive and compelling treatment.
• Lower costs – Mental health treatment is among the costliest and highly demanded problems post-pandemic. The HHS released $3 billion to help territories, states, and tribes address substance abuse and mental health problems resulting from the pandemic. VR-enabled treatment reduces initial costs and can treat more people than regular treatments.
• It meets patient expectations – VR makes therapy fun, and most patients acknowledge that it's a great experience. Even the younger generation is more willing to try the treatment experience. Not only is it fun, but VR therapy also distracts them from their distress and anxiety. 

The Future Is Promising

This advanced therapy has a promising future and can likely replace or augment conventional mental health treatment options. For example, according to a 2018 research, VR treatment with a virtual therapist offers significant clinical gains for those with fear of heights. Indeed, incorporating VR tech in counseling and mental health services provides many benefits to patients with different behavioral problems.

It may take some time to replace traditional behavioral health approaches with advanced VR therapy. However, this technology will undoubtedly play an increasingly vital role in diagnosing and treating brain and mental health disorders.