Applications of Virtual Reality Technology in Brain Imaging Studies

Chou, Ying-hui; Weingarten, Carol P.; Madden, David J.; Song, Allen W.; Chen, Nan‐kuei

doi:10.5772/48445

Cited by 4 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 120 publications

(183 reference statements)

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“…This capacity for systematic stimulus control within the context of ecologically relevant simulations of everyday life (i.e., The Ultimate Skinner Box) for assessment and intervention purposes is one of the key areas that differentiate clinical VR from all previous methodologies. Thus, VR’s stimulus delivery capability has been recognized as a significant asset for supporting the integration of VR with brain imaging and psychophysiology studies (Bohil et al, 2011; Chou et al, 2012; Costanzo et al, 2014; Norrholm et al, 2016; Tarr & Warren, 2002). This is especially relevant for the field of neuropsychology which has been increasingly integrating advanced neural imaging technologies in its quest for a better accounting of the structure and processes underlying brain/behavior relationships.…”

Section: Systematic Delivery and Control Of Sensory Stimulimentioning

confidence: 99%

Is clinical virtual reality ready for primetime?

Rizzo

Koenig²

2017

Neuropsychology

236

149

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Section: Systematic Delivery and Control Of Sensory Stimulimentioning

confidence: 99%

Is clinical virtual reality ready for primetime?

Rizzo

Koenig²

2017

Neuropsychology

236

149

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“…Hyperscanning is the simultaneous neuroimaging of more than one person that affords new opportunities for the study of social interactions (Montague et al, 2002). Chou, Weingarten, Madden, Song, & Chen (2012) highlighted several aspects of hyperscanning that are useful to consider for psychotherapy research. First, as noted by Montague et al (2002), Dumas (2011), and others, almost all previous brain imaging studies relevant to interpersonal interactions have been based on experiments in which one person is studied alone.…”

Section: Future Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The ability to conduct brain imaging on two or more persons simultaneously currently includes fMRI (Montague et al, 2002; Krill & Platek, 2012) as well as EEG and near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) methods (Cui, Bryant, & Reiss, 2012; Dumas, Nadel, Soussignan, Martinerie, & Garnero, 2010) (Chou et al, 2012). The ability to perform fMRI hyperscanning of two persons has revealed that regions of the reward system, specifically the left caudate and putamen, were activated during cooperation between two persons (Krill & Platek, 2012).…”

Section: Future Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Neuroimaging for psychotherapy research: Current trends

Weingarten

Strauman

2014

Psychotherapy Research

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Objective This article reviews neuroimaging studies that inform psychotherapy research. An introduction to neuroimaging methods is provided as background for the increasingly sophisticated breadth of methods and findings appearing in psychotherapy research. Method We compiled and assessed a comprehensive list of neuroimaging studies of psychotherapy outcome, along with selected examples of other types of studies that also are relevant to psychotherapy research. We emphasized magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) since it is the dominant neuroimaging modality in psychological research. Results We summarize findings from neuroimaging studies of psychotherapy outcome, including treatment for depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and schizophrenia. Conclusions The increasing use of neuroimaging methods in the study of psychotherapy continues to refine our understanding of both outcome and process. We suggest possible directions for future neuroimaging studies in psychotherapy research.

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“…Combining VRET with neuroimaging aids the tailoring of more efficient interventions, evaluation of treatment effects, confirmation of their ecological validity and potential benefits or directions in research and clinical application (Chou et al, 2012 ). The neural basis of inhibitory response in VRET, and its treatment effect on the brain function have been investigated using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) combined with VR in Cue ET for nicotine cravings (Lee et al, 2005 ; Moon and Lee, 2009 ), driving with distractions (Schweizer et al, 2013 ), fear conditioning (Alvarez et al, 2008 , 2011 ) and animal phobia (Clemente et al, 2014 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Within- and Between-Session Prefrontal Cortex Response to Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for Acrophobia

Landowska

Roberts

Eachus

et al. 2018

Front. Hum. Neurosci.

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Exposure Therapy (ET) has demonstrated its efficacy in the treatment of phobias, anxiety and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), however, it suffers a high drop-out rate because of too low or too high patient engagement in treatment. Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) is comparably effective regarding symptom reduction and offers an alternative tool to facilitate engagement for avoidant participants. Neuroimaging studies have demonstrated that both ET and VRET normalize brain activity within a fear circuit. However, previous studies have employed brain imaging technology which restricts people’s movement and hides their body, surroundings and therapist from view. This is at odds with the way engagement is typically controlled. We used a novel combination of neural imaging and VR technology—Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) and Immersive Projection Technology (IPT), to avoid these limitations. Although there are a few studies that have investigated the effect of VRET on a brain function after the treatment, the present study utilized technologies which promote ecological validity to measure brain changes after VRET treatment. Furthermore, there are no studies that have measured brain activity within VRET session. In this study brain activity within the prefrontal cortex (PFC) was measured during three consecutive exposure sessions. N = 13 acrophobic volunteers were asked to walk on a virtual plank with a 6 m drop below. Changes in oxygenated (HbO) hemoglobin concentrations in the PFC were measured in three blocks using fNIRS. Consistent with previous functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies, the analysis showed decreased activity in the DLPFC and MPFC during first exposure. The activity increased toward normal across three sessions. The study demonstrates potential efficacy of a method for measuring within-session neural response to virtual stimuli that could be replicated within clinics and research institutes, with equipment better suited to an ET session and at fraction of the cost, when compared to fMRI. This has application in widening access to, and increasing ecological validity of, immersive neuroimaging across understanding, diagnosis, assessment and treatment of, a range of mental disorders such as phobia, anxiety and PTSD or addictions.

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Applications of Virtual Reality Technology in Brain Imaging Studies

Cited by 4 publications

References 120 publications

Is clinical virtual reality ready for primetime?

Is clinical virtual reality ready for primetime?

Neuroimaging for psychotherapy research: Current trends

Within- and Between-Session Prefrontal Cortex Response to Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for Acrophobia

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