A growing number of researchers and companies worldwide are exploring the power of virtual reality (VR) and gaming technologies for developing innovative solutions to help clinicians diagnose, treat and manage some of the most challenging behavioral conditions. Researchers believe that the use of VR technologies is rising for health care applications, fueled largely by technological innovations, such as the Oculus Rift headset, which are making VR therapies more affordable. This article takes a closer look at how VR is being used for exposure therapy at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to help soldiers recover from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), for cognitive behavioral therapy at Akili Interactive Labs Inc., which plans to file for US FDA approval for its Project: Echo to treat pediatric attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and by researchers in the Netherlands to prevent relapse in patients recovering from mental illness. We'll also address limiters and growth opportunities and other projects in the works in this trending space.
Market Intel: Virtual Reality: The New Game In Mental Health Care To Improve Outcomes
Virtual reality is seeing an upsurge in use by mental health practitioners for treating conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, panic disorders and anxiety in a safe and controlled manner. With the advent of affordable VR headsets and technological advances, companies and researchers worldwide are seizing on the opportunity to bring such techniques as VR exposure therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy to telemedicine, specialty clinics and directly to consumers to improve outcomes and better lives.
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