Virtual and Augmented Reality in Mental Health Treatment


Book Description

Medical and technological organizations have recently developed therapy and assistance solutions that venture beyond what is considered conventional for individuals with various mental health conditions and behavioral disorders such as autism, Down syndrome, Alzheimer’s disease, anxiety disorders, phobias, and learning difficulties. Through the use of virtual and augmented reality, researchers are working to provide alternative therapy methods to treat these conditions, while studying the long-term effects the treatment has on patients. Virtual and Augmented Reality in Mental Health Treatment provides innovative insights into the use and durability of virtual reality as a treatment for various behavioral and emotional disorders and health problems. The content within this publication represents the work of e-learning, digital psychology, and quality of care. It is designed for psychologists, psychiatrists, professionals, medical staff, educators, and researchers, and covers topics centered on medical and therapeutic applications of artificial intelligence and simulated environment.




Virtual Reality Therapy for Anxiety


Book Description

Practical, down to earth, clearly written, and easy for therapists to understand and apply, Virtual Reality Therapy for Anxiety is a useful guide for any clinician treating anxiety, regardless of setting (in-office or via telehealth), theoretical orientation, or level of training. Written by an experienced psychologist who has used multiple VR systems since 2010, it’s the only up to date, clinically informed, evidence-based training manual available. Easy-to-understand concepts and diagrams explain anxiety and its treatment, and the book incorporates research findings and clinical expertise. VRT is described step by step with multiple case examples, and an extended case-vignette chapter presents a session-by-session treatment protocol of a complex case with transcript excerpts. Key findings and quotations from research are also presented. After completing the guide, therapists and other mental health professionals will understand the unique clinical benefits of VR, be prepared to use VR in therapy comfortably and effectively either in the office or remotely, and will have expertise in a new, needed, and empirically validated treatment for a common clinical problem.




Virtual Reality for Psychological and Neurocognitive Interventions


Book Description

This exciting collection tours virtual reality in both its current therapeutic forms and its potential to transform a wide range of medical and mental health-related fields. Extensive findings track the contributions of VR devices, systems, and methods to accurate assessment, evidence-based and client-centered treatment methods, and—as described in a stimulating discussion of virtual patient technologies—innovative clinical training. Immersive digital technologies are shown enhancing opportunities for patients to react to situations, therapists to process patients’ physiological responses, and scientists to have greater control over test conditions and access to results. Expert coverage details leading-edge applications of VR across a broad spectrum of psychological and neurocognitive conditions, including: Treating anxiety disorders and PTSD. Treating developmental and learning disorders, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Assessment of and rehabilitation from stroke and traumatic brain injuries. Assessment and treatment of substance abuse. Assessment of deviant sexual interests. Treating obsessive-compulsive and related disorders. Augmenting learning skills for blind persons. Readable and relevant, Virtual Reality for Psychological and Neurocognitive Interventions is an essential idea book for neuropsychologists, rehabilitation specialists (including physical, speech, vocational, and occupational therapists), and neurologists. Researchers across the behavioral and social sciences will find it a roadmap toward new and emerging areas of study.




Advances in Virtual Reality and Anxiety Disorders


Book Description

The interactive computer-generated world of virtual reality has been successful in treating phobias and other anxiety-related conditions, in part because of its distinct advantages over traditional in vivo exposure. Yet many clinicians still think of VR technology as it was in the 1990s–bulky, costly, technically difficult–with little knowledge of its evolution toward more modern, evidence-based, practice-friendly treatment. These updates, and their clinical usefulness, are the subject of Advances in Virtual Reality and Anxiety Disorders, a timely guidebook geared toward integrating up-to-date VR methods into everyday practice. Introductory material covers key virtual reality concepts, provides a brief history of VR as used in therapy for anxiety disorders, addresses the concept of presence, and explains the side effects, known as cybersickness, that affect a small percentage of clients. Chapters in the book's main section detail current techniques and review study findings for using VR in the treatment of: · Claustrophobia. · Panic disorder, agoraphobia, and driving phobia. · Acrophobia and aviophobia. · Arachnophobia. · Social phobia. · Generalized anxiety disorder and OCD. · PTSD. · Plus clinical guidelines for establishing a VR clinic. An in-depth framework for effective (and cost-effective) therapeutic innovations for entrenched problems, Advances in Virtual Reality and Anxiety Disorders will find an engaged audience among psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and mental health counselors.eractive




Virtual Reality in the Assessment, Understanding and Treatment of Mental Health Disorders


Book Description

In the computer sciences, virtual reality (VR) is usually described as a set of fancy technologies. However, in medicine and neuroscience, VR is instead defined as an advanced form of human–computer interface that allows the user to interact with and become present in a computer-generated environment. The sense of presence offered by VR makes it a powerful tool for personal change because it offers a world where the individual can stay and live a specific experience. For this reason, the use of VR in mental health shows promise: different types of research support its clinical efficacy for conditions including anxiety disorders, stress-related disorders, obesity and eating disorders, pain management, addiction, and schizophrenia. However, more research is needed to transform VR according to a clinical standard for mental health. This Special Issue aims to present the most recent advances in the mental health applications of VR, as well as their implications for future patient care.




Emerging Advancements for Virtual and Augmented Reality in Healthcare


Book Description

Within the last few years, devices that are increasingly capable of offering an immersive experience close to reality have emerged. As devices decrease in size, the interest and application possibilities for them increase. In the healthcare sector, there is an enormous potential for virtual reality development, as this technology allows, on the one hand, the execution of operations or processes at a distance, decoupling realities; and on the other hand, it offers the possibility of simulation for training purposes, whenever there are contexts of risk to the patient or to the health professional. However, virtual reality devices and immersion in virtual environments still requires some improvement as complaints such as headaches and nausea are still common among users, and so continuous research and development is critical to progress the technology. Emerging Advancements for Virtual and Augmented Reality in Healthcare synthesizes the trends, best practices, methodologies, languages, and tools used to implement virtual reality and create a positive user experience while also discussing how to implement virtual reality into day-to-day work with a focus on healthcare professionals and related areas. The application possibilities and their impact are transversal to all areas of health and fields such as education, training, surgery, pain management, physical rehabilitation, stroke rehabilitation, phobia therapy, and telemedicine. Covering topics such as mental health treatment and virtual simulations, it is ideal for medical professionals, engineers, computer scientists, researchers, practitioners, managers, academicians, teachers, and students.




Research Anthology on Mental Health Stigma, Education, and Treatment


Book Description

In times of uncertainty and crisis, the mental health of individuals become a concern as added stressors and pressures can cause depression, anxiety, and stress. Today, especially with more people than ever experiencing these effects due to the Covid-19 epidemic and all that comes along with it, discourse around mental health has gained heightened urgency. While there have always been stigmas surrounding mental health, the continued display of these biases can add to an already distressing situation for struggling individuals. Despite the experience of mental health issues becoming normalized, it remains important for these issues to be addressed along with adequate education about mental health so that it becomes normalized and discussed in ways that are beneficial for society and those affected. Along with raising awareness of mental health in general, there should be a continued focus on treatment options, methods, and modes for healthcare delivery. The Research Anthology on Mental Health Stigma, Education, and Treatment explores the latest research on the newest advancements in mental health, best practices and new research on treatment, and the need for education and awareness to mitigate the stigma that surrounds discussions on mental health. The chapters will cover new technologies that are impacting delivery modes for treatment, the latest methods and models for treatment options, how education on mental health is delivered and developed, and how mental health is viewed and discussed. It is a comprehensive view of mental health from both a societal and medical standpoint and examines mental health issues in children and adults from all ethnicities and socio-economic backgrounds and in a variety of professions, including healthcare, emergency services, and the military. This book is ideal for psychologists, therapists, psychiatrists, counsellors, religious leaders, mental health support agencies and organizations, medical professionals, teachers, researchers, students, academicians, mental health practitioners, and more.







Current and Prospective Applications of Virtual Reality in Higher Education


Book Description

For the last decade, virtual reality has been utilized in diverse fields such as entertainment, medicine, and industry. Recently, virtual reality has been applied in educational settings in order to transform student learning and experiences through such methods as building prototypes using digital devices or exploring new cultures through immersive interactions. Teachers who can incorporate virtual reality into their classrooms can provide their students with more meaningful learning experiences and can witness higher engagement. Current and Prospective Applications of Virtual Reality in Higher Education is a cutting-edge academic research book that provides comprehensive research on the integration of virtual reality in education programs and establishes foundations for course design, program development, and institutional strategic planning. The book covers an overall understanding and approach to virtual reality in education, specific applications of using virtual reality in higher education, and prospects and issues of virtual reality in the future. Highlighting a wide range of topics such as gamification, teacher training, and virtual reality, this book is ideal for teachers, instructional designers, curriculum developers, academicians, program developers, administrators, educational software developers, policymakers, researchers, education professionals, and students.




Mental Health Virtual Reality


Book Description

Thorough review of how virtual reality technology is transforming the field of mental health MHVR: The Power of Immersive Worlds is an expansive and highly insightful exploration into the integration of virtual reality (VR) within the spectrum of mental health offerings. This book is not merely a collection of research and examples; it is a journey through the evolution of VR, tracing its origins from visionary fiction to a substantial, transformative tool in mental health therapy. Written in a modular format with case studies included throughout, this book features contributions from well-known names in the fields of mental health and technology. Readers will learn about: How VR can help clients “paint a picture” during therapy, such as with the help of the Apple Vision Pro and similar devices Various applications of VR in the field of mental health, from suicide assessment, treatment, and prevention, to addiction, to trauma therapy in warzones Hygiene practices in cybersecurity and data management to keep client data private, safe, and secure MHVR: The Power of Immersive Worlds earns a well-deserved spot on the bookshelves of all mental health professionals seeking state-of-the-art knowledge to help improve patient outcomes, as well as all curious individuals seeking to understand more about the latest VR developments and how they can be used to change the world for the better.