You can do that?!: Feasibility of virtual reality exposure therapy in the treatment of PTSD due to military sexual trauma

Abstract

This initial feasibility study examined the use of virtual reality exposure therapy (VRE) in the treatment of MST-related PTSD, with newly developed content tailored to MST. Participants included 15 veterans (26% male) with MST-related PTSD. Assessment of PTSD, depression, and psychophysiological indicators of distress occurred at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and 3-month follow-up. Treatment included 6-12 VRE sessions. There were significant reductions in pre- to post-treatment PTSD (CAPS severity: t(10) = 3.69, p = .004; PCL-5: t(10) = 3.79, p = .004) and depressive symptoms, (PHQ-9: t(8) = 2.83, p = .022), which were maintained at follow-up. There also was a significant pre- to post-treatment reduction in heart rate response to a trauma cue. Cohen's d effect sizes were large (CAPS: d = 1.11; PCL-5: d = 1.14, PHQ-9: d = .94), and the percentage of participants meeting PTSD criteria continued to decline from post-treatment (53%) to follow-up (33%). Findings indicate VRE can be safely delivered and is a promising treatment for MST-related PTSD.

Virtual Reality for Anxiety and Stress-Related Disorders: A SWOT Analysis

“…In this sense, the strongest aspect of VR for ASRD revolves around the fact that in these 25 years dozens of clinical trials have been carried out and nowadays there is a large body of evidence that supports its equal efficacy to in vivo exposure. Interestingly, improvements are observed not only in self-report measures [20], but also in behavioural [21] and physiological measures [22,23]. Besides, evidence suggests that VR is more accepted than in vivo exposure [24], and its attrition and deterioration rates are comparable to face-to-face interventions [15,25].…”

Foundations of Erobotics

“…For instance, under the supervision of trained (sex) therapists and educators, erobots may contribute to assessments and treatments of individuals with intimacy-related fears and anxiety via progressive exposition-desensitization [ 172 ] or help people with erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation [ 226 ]. They could be used in therapy to help trauma victims become reacquainted with their body and sexuality in a safe, controlled environment [ 187 , 188 ]. They may be part of clinical interventions for pelvic floor disorders [ 273 ] or sexual pain, to provide adapted and more ecologically valid stimulation that reduce hypersensitivities and break stimuli-pain associations [ 215 ].…”

Virtual Trauma Interventions for the Treatment of Post-traumatic Stress Disorders: A Scoping Review

“…This can be practically achieved by the recounting of the patient's traumatic experience guided and encouraged by a therapist to imagine, narrate, and emotionally process the traumatic event (Foa et al, 2007;Leaman et al, 2013). However, this is particularly difficult for some patients, especially for those who cannot visualize the traumatic event or are not willing or prepared to do so because of memory gaps or severe avoidance behavior (e.g., an emotional defense mechanism) (Difede et al, 2007;Kehle-Forbes et al, 2016;Rizzo and Shilling, 2017;Loucks et al, 2018;Shulman et al, 2019). This can lead to a (premature) termination of treatment or to a less pronounced emotional reactivity when reporting the trauma, which negatively affects the treatment success (Jaycox et al, 1998;Difede et al, 2007;Foa et al, 2007;Cukor et al, 2015).…”