Using a Flexible Virtual Environment for Treating a Storm Phobia

Most of the Virtual Environments (VE) currently available in the field of psychological treatments are designed to solve a specific problem (acrophobia, flying phobia, claustrophobia, etc.). Our research group has developed a versatile Virtual Reality (VR) system (an adaptive display) that could be useful for different problems. In previous studies, a VR application called "EMMA's world" was developed for the treatment of PTSD and pathological grief. The aim of the present work is to show the utility of this system for the treatment of a storm phobia. The patient was a 70 year-old woman, who was not familiar at all with computer technologies. As the patient was not able to confront even a virtual storm, the treatment was applied in two phases: In vivo exposure (exploding balloons), and exposure to VE simulating storms, rain, thunders and lightings. Results showed changes in the expected direction and were maintained at 6-month follow-up.

• Type: Journal
• Year: 2006
• Where: PSYCHNOLOGY
• Authors: Cristina Botella, Rosa María Baños, Belén Guerrero, Azucena Garcia-Palacios, Soledad Quero, Mariano Alcañiz Raya
• Keywords: PSYCHNOLOGY 2006, Versatile Virtual Reality, Virtual, Virtual Environments