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WASHINGTON — Veterans ache from post - traumatic emphasis disorder ( PTSD ) could reach some relievo from a young virtual - reality programme , new research suggests .
The faux environment , which lease members of the military " relive " their traumatic experiences in a calculator - plot environment , has shown succeeder in several former studies , investigator tell in a talk Thursday ( Aug. 7 ) here at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association .
The young work builds on traditional exposure therapy , a behavioraltechnique used to treat PTSDand other anxiety disorders that involves exposing the patient to a awe - induct object or context in a safe environs . [ Top 10 Controversial Psychiatric Disorders ]
more or less 28 percent of U.S. soldier returning from Iraq arediagnosed with clinical distress , grant to the U.S. Air Force . A 2010 study published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry found that up to 17 percent of U.S. Iraq War veterans may have combat - related PTSD . Exposure - based therapies have been shown to be apromising form of intervention , said Skip Rizzo , a psychologist at the University of Southern California ’s Institute for Creative Technologies in Los Angeles , who is leading the study .
" The [ practical world ] format may appeal to a generation of service member who have raise up with the digital human beings , and feel comfortable with it , " Rizzo said . In increase , the virtual - reality program is wireless , take a leak it convenient for veterans to utilise , he add .
The first versions of thevirtual - reality computer programme , called " Virtual Iraq " and " Virtual Afghanistan , " were adapted from the first - person TV game " Full Spectrum Warrior , " which was unloosen for Xbox in 2004 . The political program featured a full reach of armed combat situation , and allowed the user to tweak the prison term of day , the weather consideration and the wound levels of fictitious character in the game . In addition , aesculapian experts could enclose " induction stimuli " to mimic the original traumatic experience .
Now , the investigator have develop a new practical - world program , address " Bravemind , " which was created using feedback from the first version and includes an expanded set of features .
test of this former version have been positive , Rizzo read . A study fund by the Office of Naval Research used a standard vulnerability - therapy approach , and involved 20 military members ( 19 men and 1 charwoman ) who had spend an average of eight years in active Robert William Service . Over the course of the study , 16 participants show improvement in theirPTSD symptom , while four participant did not .
In a video recommendation , one soldier said that relive his traumatic experiences in a virtual surroundings meant he did n’t have to think about them when he was at base with his kinsperson .
The investigator used functional magnetic resonance imaging ( fMRI ) to tag change in the mind following the virtual - reality treatment , and receive that participant showed less energizing in the amygdaloid nucleus , a mental capacity region involve in aroused reactions , and more activation in frontal lobe region involved in aroused control , Rizzo said .
The researchers also developed a virtual patient project in which clinician can rehearse working with a imitation trauma victim before they wreak with a tangible somebody .
Now , the chemical group is expect into using the practical - realism system as a prophylactic therapy before soldier are deployed , by putting them in a provocative environment to prepare them for the stresses they will face .
The radical has also launched a military intimate trauma project for armed service members who have have sexual assault . " We ’re not creating digital rapes , " Rizzo said . Rather , the researchers are simulate context of use that recreate the feeling of being trapped or losing control , he said . Interestingly , however , " most of the military sexual trauma occurs stateside , " Rizzo suppose .
