Gamers aren’t just good for killing time overseas as new research highlights the positives behind gaming for veterans.
Virtual Reality Brings Real Results
For some people, a springtime thunderstorm or chance encounter with a spider can trigger crippling feelings of anxiety and fear. These individuals may seek therapy to help overcome their phobias, and recent research suggests computer games and virtual reality programs can be an effective treatment option.
A study released by researchers at the University of Quebec, Montreal found that exposing individuals with arachnophobia to animated spiders in a virtual environment was as effective as traditional treatments. In the experiment, participants receiving the virtual reality treatment wore a headset that enabled them to see a virtual environment containing spiders of various shapes and sizes, and completed a series of exercises that required them to interact with the insects. At the end of eight treatment sessions, these patients encountered an oversized black widow spider. Participants receiving traditional treatment handled real-life spiders. Researchers found that both groups demonstrated considerable improvement following treatment, and did not see a significant difference in results between the two groups.
Similar virtual reality programs exist to treat other fears. Previous research from the University of Quebec found Epic Games’ Unreal Tournament to be a useful tool in treating fears of heights and confined spaces. A team of scientists at the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom developed a program that helps ease fears of driving by exposing patients to situations such as driving over a tall bridge, passing slow-moving cars, or merging into traffic. Others turn to Linden Labs’Second Life for help with overcoming their social fears. Atlanta-based psychologist Craig Kerley treats patients at his brick-and-mortar office but also within Second Life, and describes the virtual world as “a great practice ground” for patients to interact with others. In addition, Duke University Medical Center in Durham, N.C. offers a Virtual Reality Program through its Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences that treats fears of flying, public speaking, heights and thunderstorms. The State University of New York Upstate Medical University offers a similar program through its Adult Psychiatry Clinic. Both organizations note that virtual reality treatments may produce results faster than traditional methods.
Games and virtual environments give patients and their therapists greater control over treatment programs, and provide a comfortable, accessible way for people to address their phobias. Armed with these tools, patients can fight off anxiety and find greater joy in their surroundings.
Game publishers like Activision, maker of the Call of Duty franchise, and Electronic Arts, the publisher of Medal of Honor and Battlefield games, have established funds to give back to American troops through organizations like Wounded Warriors. In addition, multiple game companies, including Ubisoft, which has the Tom Clancy line of war games, also employ former soldiers as full-time developers or paid consultants to add authenticity to their games.
