 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
What VRT does
VRT is used in a wide range of therapeutic applications, which includes: anxiety, depression, self image, acute and post traumatic stress disorders, addictions (e.g. alcohol, weight, smoking and benzodiazepine), pain management, panic, psychosomatic disorders, sleep disorders, coping strategies, psycho-immunology, psycho-oncology symptoms, and latent viral infections. The list of areas of use is continuously growing
.
The VRT system uses state of the art technology to induce a deep meditative state. A head mounted audio visual display delivers crystal clear sound and vision while removing all external stimuli. The headset is compact and unincumbering, allowing for use in any environment.
VRT refocuses the mind from pain and anxiety to pleasant sensory stimuli- potentially shielding the patient from full awareness of a wide range of noxious stimuli.17, 23
In a virtual environment, auditory and visual overload are combined with distraction and subliminal suggestions, leading to an altered state of consciousness, deep muscle relaxation, amnesia, time distortion and reduced levels of stress and perceived pain.17, 18, 24
According to psychoneuroimmunology research, a reduced level of stress and anxiety can have a positive influence on wound healing and immunity, and reduce psychosomatic pathology, disability, morbidity and mortality. VRT provides immediate access to the benefits of mind-body medicine in a consistent, reliable manner. VRT is a cognitive pain management therapy, which can be used in isolation, or in conjunction with traditional pharmacologic strategies.25
Altered states of consciousness / meditative states induced by audiovisual presentations are economical, extremely safe, and time efficient. Health care workers do not require expert knowledge of the process. An audio visual relaxation method can be delivered repeatedly in a consistent and reliable manner. 17, 21, 22
The Science
The Central Nervous System, the autonomic nervous system, neuropeptides, cytokines and hormones provide a conduit for communication between the mind and the body
.
Psychoneuroimmunology research indicates that progression and outcome of disease is strongly influenced by methods and treatments that encourage cognitive handling of emotionally charged information.2, 11, 13, 14, 15
The benefits of cognitive therapy have been reported on countless occasions in psychoneuroimmunology research, and strongly recommended in the use of mind-body therapies to complement conventional medical treatments16
.
Mind body therapies like deep relaxation, guided imagery and meditation are a mechanism for influential communication, which can be used to focus the mind's inner unconscious resources to activate or inhibit psychological or physiological responses.17
Deep relaxation therapy is a recognised medical technique used in obstetrics, surgery, anaesthesia, paediatrics, psychiatry, nursing and dentistry.14 In surgical environments, painless operations have been reported using altered state of consciousness instead of pharmacologic anaesthesia and analgesia. In medical intensive care units, burn injury pain control has been reported using guided imagery when opioid medication was shown to be dangerous or ineffective.18, 19 Virtual Reality Therapy has been used successfully in all of these environments and continues to be used everyday
.
In a virtual environment, metaphors can be coordinated with visual and non-verbal stimuli to create theatrical surrealism, which immerses the user in a role-play environment where therapeutic suggestion is linked with metaphoric narrative. In surreal theatrical environments created by virtual reality, lessons embedded in metaphoric narrative are more likely to evade conscious, critical analysis, and be assimilated in belief structures at subconscious levels; providing alternative pathways for inappropriate thought. In practitioner-guided hypnotherapy, theatrical surrealism and effective role-play are more difficult to achieve, so the lessons from metaphoric narrative may be lost in critical analysis at conscious or semiconscious levels
.
The Virtual Reality Therapy system is a flexible, portable unit, which is used in various clinical environments including hospitals private medical centers and counseling clinics.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
