Accession Number:
ADA459227
Title:
A Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy Application for Iraq War Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Descriptive Note:
Conference paper
Corporate Author:
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA MARINA DEL REY CA INST FOR CREATIVE TECHNOLOGIES
Personal Author(s):
Report Date:
2006-01-01
Pagination or Media Count:
7.0
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 Iraqi War veterans are exhibiting symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Virtual Reality VR exposure treatment has been used in previous treatments of PTSD patients with reports of positive outcomes. The aim of the current paper is to present the rationale, technical specifications, application features, and user-centered design process for the development of a Virtual Iraq PTSD VR therapy application. The VR treatment environment is being created via the recycling of virtual graphic assets that were initially built for the U.S. Army-funded combat tactical simulation scenario and commercially successful X-Box game, Full Spectrum Warrior, in addition to other available and newly created assets. Thus far, the authors have created a series of customizable virtual scenarios designed to represent relevant contexts for exposure therapy to be conducted in VR, including a city and a desert road convoy environment. User-Centered tests with the application are currently underway at the Naval Medical Center, San Diego, and within an Army Combat Stress Control Team in Iraq, with clinical trials scheduled to commence in February 2006.
Descriptors:
- *STRESS(PSYCHOLOGY)
- *VIRTUAL REALITY
- *VETERANS(MILITARY PERSONNEL)
- *POSTWAR
- *TRAUMA
- *COMBAT SIMULATION
- *IRAQI WAR
- *PSYCHOTHERAPY
- SOFTWARE ENGINEERING
- SCENARIOS
- BUILDINGS
- VILLAGES
- GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE
- ANXIETY
- CUES(STIMULI)
- ROADS
- URBAN AREAS
- SENSES(PHYSIOLOGY)
- DESERTS
- ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
- IRAQ
- EXPOSURE(GENERAL)
Subject Categories:
- Psychology
- Medicine and Medical Research
- Computer Programming and Software
- Military Forces and Organizations