Script for presentation

Vr presentation

S1- Intro

Hello my name is Katie Whelan and I am going to be talking about virtual reality used in cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure therapy for the treatment of phobias. 

S2- what is Virtual Reality?

Virtual Reality is use of computer technology to create a simulation of a 3D image or environment that can be interacted with. The user is immersed and able to interact with 3D worlds. VR stimulates senses such as vision, hearing, touch and possible smell.

 S3- What does VR technology look like?

The most common form would be the Head-mounted display or HMD. Many companies have produced versions like this such as the Oculus Rift, Microsoft hololens, Samsung GearVR, Google Cardboard, Magic leap and so on.

Head-mounted display (HDM)
Oculus Rift VR
Microsoft HoloLens
Sony's Project Morpheus
The Vive by Valve
Samsung GearVr
Google Cardboard
Magic Leap

S4- Is it new technology 

Virtual reality has been around since the 1950s. In 1957 filmmaker, Morton Heilig created the Sensorama, which was a large booth like machine that gave users the illusion of being in a 3D world. Computer scientist, Ivan Sutherland’s created the first Head-mounted display in 1968.  Since then the vr headset has evolved and in 2010 Palmer Luckey created the first prototype of the Oculus Rift. 

S5- How our brain process images

Our brain is designed to pay attention to what’s new in the environment. When light hits the retina, the process of sight begins. The information from the retina is sent via the optic nerve to other parts of the brain which processes the image and allows us to see. 

S6- How VR works on the brain

Vr headsets have two LCD displays, one per eye. There is a lens placed between your eyes and the pixels. The lens focuses and reshapes the picture. This creates a stereoscopic 3D image by angling the two 2D images to mimic how our eyes see the world. Our brain is tricked into thinking that we in that environment. 

S7- What is a phobia?

A phobia is an irrational and excessive fear of an object or situation. It involves a sense of endangerment or a fear of harm. When we are afraid the amygdala in our brain is more active. The amygdala’s main role is to process emotions. Conditions such as phobias, PTSD and anxiety have been suspected of being linked to abnormal functioning of the amygdala. Last year the national institute of mental health estimates that 12.5% of U.S adults experiences a specific phobia once in their lives.

S8- Examples of Phobias

Social phobia involves a fear of social situations. Agoraphobia involves a fear of being trapped in an inescapable place or situation. Lastly specific phobia involves a fear of animals, something medical, the natural environment or situational.  

Statistics on phobias 

In 2017 the national institute of mental health carried out a survey and estimated that 12.5% of U.S adults experiences a specific phobia once in their lives. The most common specific phobia is Arachnophobia, which is a fear of spiders. Then Acrophobia which is heights and finally  aerophobia which is a fear of flying. 

S9- What is cognitive behavioral therapy and in-vivo exposure therapy?

Cognitive behavioral therapy aim is to help you manage your problems by changing the way you think and act. It encourages you to talk about how you think about yourself, the world and other people. Also how what you do affects your thoughts and feelings. With exposure therapy patients experience what they fear in a controlled way and In small doses. 

S10- How Vr is used therapy?

Virtual reality exposure therapy combines cognitive behavior therapy and in-vivo exposure. It allows the patient to face their fears in a safe, controlled environment. They are immersed into a simulation that is aimed at their particular fear. They attend multiple sessions until they feel indifferent to what they feared. 

S11- Examples of a patient using vr in therapy.

There was a case study in 1992, where a 32-year-old woman with aerophobia tested VR exposure therapy to overcome her fear of flying. The virtual scene was a simulated city running on a silicon graphics computer. The results showed that throughout the experience she showed signs of a high level of anxiety at the beginning of each session and as the session progress, her anxiety levels gradually dropped. 

Slide 12- Further investigate of Vr therapy 

To further investigate the transfer effect of VR therapy, she was flown in a helicopter at a low altitude over a beach on the Gulf of Mexico. It was reported that she became more comfortable with flying and experienced less anxiety. 

One conclusion is that when subjected to virtual phobic-invoking situations, the subjects exhibited the same responses that would be exhibited in a real world situation. Over time the patient slowly overcame their phobia. 

S13- How the patient over comes fear with the use of vr therapy?

Virtual reality therapy is beneficial for the patient because they get to face their fears in a safe environment. Many patients have difficulty imagining their fears and express strong aversion to experiencing real situations. VR therapy offers a halfway point. The aim of exposure therapy is for the patient to be exposed to what troubles them until they become indifferent to it. 

S15- benefits of using VR in therapy

Allows the patient to try the therapy without as much anxiety. They can experience the phobia without having to travel to the location. There is Confidentiality for the patient. Therapist can control the situation. The therapy is more realist and effective. Sessions can be repeated in order for the patient to conquer a small portion of their fear. 

S16- Risks of using VRT

Howver to prevent risk certain cautions needs to be taken. According to Stanney, those at risk for psychological harm are primarily those who suffer from panic attacks, those who have serious medical problems such as heart disease or epilepsy, and those who are (or have recently been) taking drugs with major physiological or psychological effects. Therefore patients are asked questions regarding these situations before the procedure.

S17- Company that creates VR therapy

Limbix is a company that’s partnered with multiple colleges that carry out research on phobias and VR. Limbix offer a pack that contains a tablet, VR headset, Charger, docking station, immerse environments, real-world 360 footage and interactive scenes. They offer an at home exposure therapy experience where the user can face their fears in a safe environment and in their own homes. 

S18- Why it’s slow now – cost, new technology

One of the main reasons why VR is not commonly used in cognitive behavior therapy and exposure therapy is because of the cost factor. Secondly there is a lack of research on how effective virtual reality exposure therapy is. Thirdly is a new technology to many people so training would be required. 

S19- Future Of VR in therapy

According to Variety.com virtual reality revenues are estimate to reach $7.17 billion at the end of the year. According to a report by Greenlight insights these figures will grow to $75 billion by 2021. According to Statista.com the figure is estimated grow to 21.5 billion dollars by 2020.Mobile based VR HMD are forecast to account for 75% of global VR display sales. 

S20- Future

While certain statistics offer different insight on the future of the virtual reality industry is certain that it will continue to grow. Vr has grown immensely in the entertainment industry but there are studies carried out that shows its growth in other industries such as medicine, therapy, sport, fashion and so on. 

Thank you for listening.