Virtual Reality's Efficacy In Assessing And Treating Phobias And PTSD: A Literature Review

The study sought to determine the role of virtual reality in the assessment and treatment of phobias and post-traumatic stress disorder. The study employed the literature review method and reviewed 20 published articles for the study. These were studies that were based on primary research only. The study explored five specific types of phobia, which are small animal phobia, arachnophobia, acrophobia, fear of public speaking, and dental phobia. The study revealed that virtual reality provides an effective way of assessing and treating phobias and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), especially where 360-degree videos and pictures are included. It provides an immersive method that allows the patients to face their fears rather than avoid them. It also offers a method that reduces avoidance behavior in patients compared to other treatment approaches. Advances in technology have resulted in the adoption of VR through the use of smartphones, and this could provide a great way for more widespread adoption of VR in treatments. There is still a need to improve the efficacy of VR by addressing its current limitations.