A phobia about thunderstorms or ‘tonitrophobia’ is one of the lesser known phobias but like any other phobia it causes stress and anxiety. It is a very specific type of phobia but nevertheless, requires therapy in order to treat it. Virtual reality is one of the newer forms of therapy being used to treat phobias … Continue reading Virtual reality and tonitrophobia (fear of thunderstorms)
Virtual reality has proven to be of real benefit in surgery where it has played (and continues to) an important role in training surgeons. Two examples of this include robotic surgery and ‘virtual surgery’ or surgery simulation. Surgery simulation is discussed further in a separate article. This article provides a general overview of virtual reality … Continue reading Virtual reality in surgery
Surgery simulation is another branch of medicine where virtual reality is used to great effect. This technology is used to train surgeons in a range of surgical procedures, e.g. knee arthroscopy but without any risks. The trainee surgeon can be taught new and potentially dangerous techniques in an environment where they are able to make … Continue reading Surgery simulation
Virtual reality is used to treat phobias and other psychological conditions such as post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It can be used alongside traditional therapies or on its own and has helped thousands of people to overcome their fear or an addiction. What do we mean by virtual reality therapies? This refers to a range … Continue reading Virtual reality therapies
Many people are scared of flying but are able to cope with it and carry on their normal, day to day lives. It does not prevent them from getting onto a plane and is seen as a minor inconvenience. But there are other groups of people who have an extreme fear of flying to the … Continue reading Virtual reality and erophobia (fear of flying)
Social phobia is defined as a fear of social situations, for example public speaking, where the sufferer imagines that they will embarrass themselves or commit some type of social faux pas. They dread talking in front of others for fear of looking foolish or saying the wrong thing and worry about how they are viewed … Continue reading Virtual reality and social phobia
The fear of enclosed spaces or ‘claustrophobia’ is one of the more common types of phobias which are treated by therapies such as hypnotherapy and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). But new forms of technology such as virtual reality have been utilised as a means of treating phobias such as these and are proving to be … Continue reading Virtual reality and claustrophobia (fear of enclosed spaces)
Virtual reality is used in many areas of healthcare which range from diagnosis, treatment, e.g. surgery, rehab and counselling. It is also used to train the next generation of doctors, paramedics and other medical personnel and has shown a range of benefits from doing so. So what are the advantages of virtual reality in healthcare? … Continue reading Advantages of virtual reality in medicine
A fear of heights is very common and is defined as an irrational fear of heights to the extent that it causes the affected person to avoid situations which involve heights, e.g. an office on the top floor of a building. This is similar to other phobias in that it causes an anxiety reaction or … Continue reading Virtual reality and acrophobia (fear of heights)
Dentistry is one specialism where virtual reality is being used to help train new dentists as well as ensuring experienced dentists keep their skills up to date. This includes 3D models of teeth or a human head which trainee dentists use to learn and practise a range of dental techniques. They do so safe in … Continue reading Virtual reality in dentistry
