A new study shows that using Virtual Reality (VR) to help people with schizophrenia can be an excellent way to treat them. The study, published in "Psychiatric Times," found that patients' symptoms got much better after using VR technology for a while.
Using a headset with a screen to make it feel like you are in another place is called "virtual reality." By interacting with this environment, patients can get used to dealing with different situations and become better at doing so in real life.
The people who did the study used virtual Reality (VR) to simulate different social situations, like being in a group conversation or giving a speech in front of a big crowd. The patients could also interact with virtual characters to learn how to handle different feelings and behaviors.
After the patients used VR technology for a while, the researchers saw a significant change in their symptoms, like less anxiety and a better ability to deal with stress. After using VR, patients also said they felt more confident and had more self-confidence.
"Virtual Reality (VR) technology has a lot of prospects to become an important part of the treatment for people with schizophrenia," says David Gronte, a senior physician in psychiatry. However, more research is needed to confirm the results and determine the long-term effectiveness of the treatment.
David Gronte says, "At the same time, it's important to note that VR technology doesn't replace traditional psychiatric care. Instead, it should be seen as a way to add to other treatments." @via ncbi.nlm.nih.go.
