Virtual reality (VR) is being used more and more often as a therapeutic tool in psychology or psychiatry. In recent years, VR interventions appear more extensively also in disorders such as depression, anxiety and phobia.

At Oxford University a new study has phobia sufferers immersed in claustrophobic or stressful situations. Professor Daniel Freedman explains, “After just 30 minutes of VR…there were large reductions in paranoia”. As a sensory stimulator, carers say Alzheimer sufferers enjoy reduced agitation when using the therapy. Trialed in 50 US hospitals, it has also become a key tool in treating soldiers with PTSD.

There are two different focuses of VR in healthcare: VR as a simulation tool and VR as an interaction tool. Physicians and surgeons mainly use VR as a simulation tool, while in behavioral medicine the interaction focus predominates.

VR has been used in conjunction with counseling and cognitive behavior therapy for the treatment of addictions. The scenario where addiction behavior is very likely to occur is replicated using VR, so that the counselor can observe their behavior and reaction to it. This information is used to plan appropriate therapy. The effectiveness of VR has been verified in the treatment of acrophobia, spider phobia, panic disorder and agoraphobia, body image disturbances, binge eating disorders, and fear of flying.