THIS WEEK’S PSYCHOLOGY UPDATE FOCUSES ON THE USES OF VIRTUAL REALITY (VR) AS A TECHNOLOGY TOOL USED FOR TREATMENT OF VARIOUS TYPES OF CONDITIONS
ARTICLE #1
TITLE
Virtual Reality as Therapy for Pain
DESCRIPTION
This is a fascinating and well written article by Jane Brody of the New York Times. It focuses on the new uses of VR technology to deal with severe chronic pain issues. “Using VR as an adjunct, we can teach coping skills, techniques patients can use on their own that will help diminish chronic pain,” Dr. Hoffman said. “Learning changes the brain and gives patients something that continues to work when they take the helmet off. When patients realize their pain isn’t inevitable, they’re more receptive to doing physical therapy exercises and more likely to move on their own.” Students will find this to be very helpful in understanding new use of technology and the science of pain relief.
SOURCE
New York Times, April 30, 2019, by Jane Brody
LINK TO RESOURCE
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/29/well/live/virtual-reality-as-therapy-for-pain.html
(Tiny URL) http://tinyurl.com/yy5x6y8s
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ARTICLE #2
TITLE
A Virtual-Reality Program to Conquer the Fear of Public Speaking
DESCRIPTION
What do people do when they have a fear of public speaking? Imagine how this can hold a person back socially and career wise. The intense fear of public speaking is called “GLOSSOPHOBIA.” Usually it is treated by way of cognitive behavior therapy with the emphasis on the behavioral aspects through practice and exposure. Now, psychologists have be studying treating glossophobia using virtual reality programs. Much like gaming, VR can be programmed to present various scenarios wherein the person can practice public speaking to computer generated avatars. The programs can be customized to present not only scenarios but can work on the speeches themselves. “Though virtual reality is better known for its ability to keep gamers up all night, it is also a proven aid for those suffering from a panoply of fears, including a fear of heights, a fear of insects, and dental and pre-surgical anxieties. Since the nineteen-nineties, clinical trials have shown that this field of technology can be just as efficacious as traditional exposure therapy.” The article is a one person narrative wherein the author discusses her own VR therapy. Very interesting reading!
SOURCE
New Yorker, April 12, 2019, by Lauren Mechling
LINK TO RESOURCE
(Tiny URL) http://tinyurl.com/y5dvpnmq
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ARTICLE #3
ARTICLES #3A & 3B FROM THE American Psychological Association
ARTICLE #3A: A VIRTUAL CURE
ARTICLE #3B: Speaking of Psychology: Improving lives through virtual reality therapy (Episode 19)
DESCRIPTION
#3A: Historically, this is one of the first summary articles for the use of virtual reality and exposure for fears and phobias. It describes a procedure for using computers and actual football helmets to present fear inducing stimuli (such as airplanes for flying) and recording techniques on the computer. Essentially at the time it was cutting edge as using technology for the techniques of exposure and desensitization. It is worth noting that the initial programs would lead to later programs (discussed in the next two articles) and the employment of virtual reality techniques found in every day uses ranging from mobile phones (cardboard cutout glasses) and actual devices (such as Oculus Rift). This article is a simple reading for students to understand the evolution of the technique in Psychology.
#3B:
This second article is an interview that is part of the APA series: Speaking of Psychology. “In this episode, psychologist Albert “Skip” Rizzo, PhD, discusses research into the effectiveness of virtual reality therapy and how this technology can improve the therapist-client relationship.” “His work has addressed the use of virtual reality applications to help treat post-traumatic stress disorder, help patients recover after a stroke as well as help treat children with autism spectrum disorder.” The article includes both the text version of the interview as well as the 13-minute audio segment that can be played either in class, by the student as an assignment, or downloaded as an MP3 file to include in your instructional materials (Powerpoint or Keynote).
SOURCE
#3A: American Psychological Association Monitor, By LEA WINERMAN
July/August 2005, Vol 36, No. 7, page 87
#3B: American Psychological Association: Speaking of Psychology, Episode 19
LINK TO RESOURCE
#3A: http://www.apa.org/monitor/julaug05/cure.aspx
#3B: http://www.apa.org/research/action/speaking-of-psychology/virtual-reality.aspx
#3B (Tiny Url) http://tinyurl.com/ycv9m77f
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CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
•What is virtual reality? •How is it used as a treatment in Psychology?
•What types of conditions is it employed for treatment?
•What is “Glossophobia”? His is virtual reality used to treat the condition?
•How is virtual reality therapy used for pain reduction treatment?
•Critical thinking: have the student design an experiment after reading the three articles. Ask about procedures, independent and dependent variables, control group, and ethics.
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