Three-Dimensional Virtual Reality as a Tool in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy of Claustrophobic Patients

Abstract

At present we are conducting a control group-controlled multimodal study, using a three-dimensional virtual environment as a therapeutical tool. Monitoring includes measurement of psychopathological, neurobiochemical, and neurophysiological parameters. In particular, this study is aimed to explain, whether 3D VEs can be used to treat claustrophobia on the one hand for stimulus presentation, on the other hand as a therapeutically useful exposure environment. First, a pilot study was conducted in 1997, in which 13 healthy subjects and two claustrophobic patients were examined concerning the question, whether during an uninterrupted exposure time of 45 min, there were significant variations of the measured physiological parameters and related side effects or side effects subjectively impairing the subjects. We concluded from the results of that investigation, that a 45-min expodure, as far as the tested subjects were concerned, cannot be regarded as anxiety- or stress-inducing in itself.