What is VR?

VR stands for Virtual Reality. VR is a data-simulated environment that is either fictional or based on a real-life environment. To be able to see these digital environments, a VR headset (also called VR glasses) is needed, which is strapped in front of your eyes. Inside the VR headset, there is a screen that shows the different environments. When you move your head around, the sensors in the headset react according to your movements and is then reflected in the digital environment that you see on the screen.

 

How is VR an effective part of the treatment?

The evidence univocally show that VR provides an increased quality and efficiency in comparison with therapy without VR. Through VR, the treater is enabled to be present when the patient is exposed to situations and environments where the patient’s problem occur. In that way, the therapist is given trustworthy information about the patient’s behavior in the given situation. VR therapy is an efficient complement to traditional therapy, as the exposure occurs safely in the treatment room, without practical obstacles that otherwise occur with exposure to e.g. fear of flying, addictions or phobias.

 

How is VR different from exposure therapy?

Persons that suffer from specific phobia are often afraid to confront their phobias, resulting in them not seeking help or terminating ongoing treatments. VR therapy gives the treater and the patient more control over what the therapy session and the exposure should include, enabling the treater to customize it according to the patient’s individual needs. Resultingly, the patient can experience the exposure in a safer environment. It also enables the possibility to change the environments beyond the physical limitations that occur in real-life. This way, results that are difficult to obtain with exposure therapy in real-life, can be obtained with VR therapy.

 

What are the benefits of VR therapy?

Click here to read about the benefits of VR therapy.

 

What do I need to get started?

To be able to get started, you need VR equipment and treatment programs. If you already have a VR headset, you only need to order the treatment programs. 

 

What can be treated with VR therapy?

We have treatment programs for phobias, addictions, stress/anxiety, physiotherapy and different types of eating disorders. Click here to read more about our different programs.

 

How does it work for patients that wear glasses?

Patients with visual impairments who wear glasses in their daily life are recommended to wear them during the treatment sessions too. Our VR headsets are adjustable and there is room to wear glasses, with the exception for very large frames. If possible, eye lenses are recommended for the sake of comfort. Alternatively, if you have a minor visual impairment, it is recommended to try without glasses.

 

Are there any risks with VR therapy?

Some patients can experience motion sickness, dizziness, headache or similar symptoms during a session with a VR headset. If any of the symptoms occur, the patient should inform the treater and take a break or change to a more gentle environment, depending on the situation. Most patients who experience these symptoms often get more and more used to the environments and the symptoms decrease with repeated treatment sessions. Other methods that facilitates sensitive patients are for example to conduct the therapy in a sitting position, making sure that the patient has had enough to eat and drink prior to the session or to use motion sickness pills.

 

For how long can you wear VR glasses?

This is very individual. Some individuals can experience motion sickness or dizziness during a certain type of VR usage, but the experiences are made to be gentle to the greatest extent possible and to most individuals, it is a problem that decreases instantly. Most importantly, it is crucial that the equipment is calibrated correctly and that the VR headset is put on properly.

 

Who can conduct VR therapy?

We deliver our VR treatment programs and equipment to therapists, private clinics, hospitals and universities.

 

How do I contact customer service?

If you have more questions, please contact us at: contact@nordicpsychology.com