2023-08-17 10:33:29
Many researches and studies focused on the use of virtual technologies for the treatment of psychologically ill have emerged. This hybrid model of care between truth and virtuality is a promising technique for patients suffering from mental disorders.
Schizophrenia is a mental illness characterized by quite severe and dangerous symptoms. It causes, for example, different types ofhallucinations (auditory, visual and even olfactory and taste hallucinations) which can be very painful and unpleasant, upsetting the daily lives of individuals. In addition, hallucinatory bodily and physical sensations may also appear. Again, some delusions of thought or control, memory problemsa deterioration in daily abilities, isolement social etc. Its classic treatment corresponds to taking pills and medicinal substances in order to alleviate the symptoms and try to generate a psychosocial rehabilitation of the patient.
Schizophrenic patients can be violent and dangerous to those around them. The number of people affected by this disease is one in five in France. They often reflect delusions and hallucinations that lead to a loss of mental and physical control. Generally taking the form of a demon, the perceived hallucinations are reproduced by the specialists in order to create a dialogue between the latter and the patient.
On the other hand, arise the negative symptoms resulting in non-socialization and refusal to exercise daily activity. May also appear as trouble thinking, attention, concentration, or may manifest as social isolation, loss of energy and lack of interest.
Virtual reality therapy applied to mental health
Alexandre Dumais, a psychiatrist and researcher in technology applied to mental illness, has designed a project intended to reduce auditory hallucinations in patients with schizophrenia. After several studies and research, his conclusion came to the fact that we must be able to establish a conversation, a dialogue, between the patient and his hallucinations. Complicated in the clinic, this is what virtual reality has been able to offer.
The example of the first patient to participate in this project: Richard, suffering from schizophrenia for more than 25 years. Thanks to the virtual reality helmet, he finally had the opportunity to come face to face with his demon. To do so, the latter had to write his hallucinations to the psychiatrist, who then created an adequate virtual environment formed by a certain avatar characterizing the hallucinated creature.
This type of therapy may at first seem scary, but allows the patient to understand the importance of managing their emotions and allowing them to confront their fears. This project, which demonstrated promising results, was the first step in launching TERV to treat schizophrenia.
As widespread as being a confusion between reality and hallucinations, it has been hard to believe that this pathology can be treated by virtual reality. Despite this presumption, a first trial on four schizophrenics showed a strong motivation of the latter to the treatment in question. This immersive technology allowed patients to realize the difference between reality and virtuality, accepting rehabilitation and showing a better temporal-spatial orientation. During the process, patients perform tasks of varying difficulty, from simple catching balls to fast repetitive gestures requiring strong concentration, as well as memory exercises. All these studies have shown better self-confidence, skills development and better social integration.
Researchers from the University of Montreal have also analyzed the possibility of using a avatar[1] experience through virtual reality headsets for the treatment of schizophrenia. For the latter, the use of an avatar not only makes it possible to use the voice method, but also allowed patients to see this person. This method aims to attenuate the auditory hallucinations that the patient might face and to cope with them by allowing schizophrenics to take more control.
The psychiatrist generally takes control of the avatar at first by trying to convey the same hallucinations experienced by the patient and, as the sessions progress, the speech proposed by the avatar can be gradually changed and adapted. Finally, patients notice that the avatar is nothing but an unreal person. Thus, the patients finally find that the words heard by the hallucinated voice “idiot”, “good for nothing”, etc. come only from their own thoughts and do not reflect the truth.
Self-esteem, relief, confidence and control is what TERV brings to schizophrenia.
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