Post Traumatic Stress Virtual Reality Therapy For Veterans Being Developed By Reading University

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protector1973
November 08, 2009

Virtual Reality War Zone To Treat Stress 9:46am UK, Sunday November 08, 2009 British researchers are investigating whether "virtual reality" might offer a new therapy for the thousands of British ...

Virtual Reality War Zone To Treat Stress
9:46am UK, Sunday November 08, 2009

British researchers are investigating whether "virtual reality" might offer a new therapy for the thousands of British combat veterans with post-traumatic stress.

Using special 3-D goggles, veterans will be able to physically step into an authentic "virtual" Iraqi town and move around within that environment.
Reading University has taken an American system and is adapting it for its own walk-in 3-D unit, in a room known as 'The Cave'.
Often, trauma therapy is made difficult because the person is reluctant to recollect the events leading up to the trauma.
Cybernetics Professor Paul Sharkey said: "This tool overcomes that reluctance by presenting visual images and sound images that the soldier can then use as a help to start to get them engaged in the process."
The therapy - in its early stages of development - might start gently, simply recreating ordinary street scenes. But if necessary, it can become more harrowing.

Soldiers in Iraq
"It can get so graphic as to show roadside explosions, for example, with injuries to patrols," Professor Sharkey said.
Experts regard PTSD as a ticking time bomb, one which can claim more victims in the aftermath of a conflict than actually died during the fighting.
Two hundred and fifty eight men were killed in the Falklands, but veterans groups estimate 300 have committed suicide since.
The symptoms can include flashbacks and depression, all the way to a full-blown mental breakdown.
And the number of cases is increasing fast.
Combat Stress, the leading charity in the field, has seen a 66% jump in referrals since 2005 - that's more than 1200 people a year coming to them for help.
Robert Marsh, Director of Fundraising at CS, said: "On average, veterans come to us 14 years after they've left the armed services, and that gap is something we're desperate to try and reduce because often the sooner we see people, the better they do."
Combat Stress is consulting with the team at Reading, to help make the 3-D therapy more effective.

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Post Traumatic Stress Virtual Reality Therapy For Veterans Being Developed By Reading University

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