Design and Validation of Virtual Environments for the Treatment of OCD related to fear to contamination (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zoilo Emilio Garcia-Batista Sr ◽  
Kiero Guerra-Peña Sr ◽  
Ivan Alsina-Jurnet ◽  
Antonio Cano-Vindel ◽  
Adriana M. Álvarez-Hernández ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Virtual Environments ◽  
Clinical Group ◽  
Clinical Use ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Imaginal Exposure ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Potential Alternative ◽  
Anxiety Levels

UNSTRUCTURED “Exposure therapy is highly effective to treat cleaning obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). However, traditional techniques, such as in vivo or imaginal exposure, show important limits that make the adherence to the treatment and/or the correct emotional activation difficult. Virtual Reality (VR) is a potential alternative to overcome such inconveniences. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop virtual environments clinically relevant for patients with cleaning OCD and assess their efficiency to obtain emotionally significant responses. Based on this, two scenarios were developed, with progressive levels of dirtiness: a public restroom and a kitchen. Both were applied to a clinical group (18 patients with cleaning OCD) and to a control one (22 without OCD). Both scenarios produced anxiety levels significantly higher in the clinical group. This result is a valuable support for the clinical use of these environments”.

Fear of Thoughts, Images, and Trauma Memories

2019 ◽  
pp. 149-186
Author(s):  
Jasper A. J. Smits ◽  
Mark B. Powers ◽  
Michael W. Otto
Keyword(s):  
Anxiety Disorder ◽  
Generalized Anxiety ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Imaginal Exposure ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
The Core ◽  
Trauma Memory ◽  
Bodily Sensations ◽  
Downward Arrow

Like Chapter 5 (fear of emotions and bodily sensations), Chapter 7 discusses the treatment of internal threats including thoughts, images, and trauma memories. Imaginal exposure is particularly effective for the treatment of these fears. It has advantages over in vivo exposure because it can be used when in vivo exposure may not be appropriate or feasible (e.g., for combat traumas, contracting a disease, dying alone, harming someone). It can be used alone or in combination with in vivo exposure. When used in combination, it is generally delivered first in therapy (sequentially) or along with in vivo exposure (concurrently). Imaginal exposure therapy steps include identifying the core threat (downward arrow technique) or trauma memory, developing an imaginal exposure script/planning sheet, delivery of imaginal exposure for approximately 30-minutes (recording patient voice, first person, present tense), processing of the imaginal exposure (what was learned/meaning), and assigning home practice (listen to the recording daily). Imaginal exposure can be used as a transdiagnostic approach to reduce fear. In particular, the chapter discusses slight modifications in the cases of generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder.

scholarly journals A Computational Approach for the Assessment of Executive Functions in Patients with Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 1975 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisa Pedroli ◽  
Filippo La Paglia ◽  
Pietro Cipresso ◽  
Caterina La Cascia ◽  
Giuseppe Riva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Virtual Environments ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Neuropsychological Tests ◽  
Computational Techniques ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Future Assessment ◽  
Multiple Errands Test

Previous studies on obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) showed impairments in executive domains, particularly in cognitive inhibition. In this perspective, the use of virtual reality showed huge potential in the assessment of executive functions; however, unfortunately, to date, no study on the assessment of these patients took advantage of the use of virtual environments. One of the main problems faced within assessment protocols is the use of a limited number of variables and tools when tailoring a personalized program. The main aim of this study was to provide a heuristic decision tree for the future development of tailored assessment protocols. To this purpose, we conducted a study that involved 58 participants (29 OCD patients and 29 controls) to collect both classic neuropsychological data and precise data based on a validated protocol in virtual reality for the assessment of executive functions, namely, the VMET (virtual multiple errands test). In order to provide clear indications for working on executive functions with these patients, we carried out a cross-validation based on three learning algorithms and computationally defined two decision trees. We found that, by using three neuropsychological tests and two VMET scores, it was possible to discriminate OCD patients from controls, opening a novel scenario for future assessment protocols based on virtual reality and computational techniques.

Effect of Virtual Reality Graded Exposure on Heart Rate and Self-Reported Anxiety Levels of Performing Saxophonists

2003 ◽  
Vol 51 (4) ◽  
pp. 302-315 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evelyn K. Orman
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Virtual Environments ◽  
Exposure Period ◽  
Sense Of Presence ◽  
Graded Exposure ◽  
Subjective Measurements ◽  
Anxiety Levels ◽  
Exposure Sessions ◽  
Virtual Reality Exposure

This study is an examination of the effect of computer-generated virtual reality graded exposure on the physiological and psychological responses of performing musicians. Eight university saxophone majors, five men and three women, participated in twelve 15- to 20-minute weekly practice sessions during which they were immersed in one of four different virtual environments designed to elicit various anxiety levels. Baseline heart rates and subjective measurements were taken prior to immersion and continued throughout the exposure period. In addition, heart rate and subjective measurements were recorded for three live performances given by each subject before beginning the virtual reality exposure and after completion of the sixth and the twelfth exposure sessions. Findings indicated that the virtual environments did elicit a sense of presence and may have provided the means for desensitization. Heart-rate readings and psychological indications of anxiety did not always correspond.

scholarly journals Break in volition: a virtual reality study in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder

2013 ◽  
Vol 229 (3) ◽  
pp. 443-449 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pietro Cipresso ◽  
Filippo La Paglia ◽  
Caterina La Cascia ◽  
Giuseppe Riva ◽  
Giovanni Albani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Compulsive Disorder

scholarly journals Comparison between Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Individuals with Symptoms of Obsessive- Compulsive Disorder

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meliha GÜNDAĞ PAPAKER ◽  
Anas ABDALLAH ◽  
Mehmet Hakan SEYİTHANOĞLU ◽  
Engin CAN ◽  
Aygül TANTİK PAK ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ◽  
Patient Group ◽  
Carpal Tunnel ◽  
Significant Relationship ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Tunnel Syndrome ◽  
Anxiety Levels ◽  
The Difference

Abstract Objective: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common peripheral nerve entrapment neuropathy and is seen in 3 % of the general population. The aim to this study was examine the relationship between the symptoms of cleaning compulsion with using Moudsley obsessive compulsive inventory ( MOCI ) and patients with CTS. Methods: Sixty patients with CTS and 60 healty controls were evaluated in Bezmialem Vakif University Faculty of Medicine Neurosurgery Clinic. Neurological examination, Electrophysiological findings, the presence of neuropathic pain evaluated by the Leeds assessment of neuropathic symptoms and signs (LANSS) , the symptoms of obsessive- compulsive disorder using with MOCI and anxiety levels assessed by the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) were evaluated. Results: No statistically significant relationship was observed between anxiety levels and CTS (p › 0.005). No statistically significant relationship was found MOCI rumination, control and doubting subscale scores (p › 0.005). Patient group had higher MOCI cleaning subscale scores than the control group and the difference was statistically significant (p=0.008). Patient group had higher MOCI slowness subscale scores than the control group and the difference was statistically significant (p=0.004). Conclusion: Increased wrist movement in people that have the symptoms of compulsive cleaning is associated with the risk of CTS. Our study show that a reduction of high level of wrist flexion-extansion movements may decrease the new CTS cases.

scholarly journals Outlook of applying of virtual reality (VR) technologies in the treatment of patients with mental disorders (review of foreign literature)

2021 ◽  
pp. 18-24
Author(s):  
V. V. Freize ◽  
L. V. Malyshko ◽  
G. I. Grachev ◽  
V. B. Dutov ◽  
N. V. Semenova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Eating Disorders ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
English Language ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Safe Method ◽  
Phobic Disorders ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Russian Psychiatry

The purpose of the study was to summarize data from foreign studies about the use of virtual reality (VR) technology in the treatment of patients with various mental disorders.Materials and methods: we selected and analyzed articles from MEDLINE / PubMed databases during the period from 2000 till 2020, as well as relevant references in the bibliography of the analyzed articles. 45 articles were included in further analysis from 575 English-language articles.Results: The use of VR technologies in the treatment of mental disorders appears to be one of the promising directions in psychiatry. The successfulness of these methods in patients with eating disorders, anxiety-phobic disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder is supported to be evidentiary information. There is evidence of the effectiveness of such methods in patients with schizophrenia, particularly, one of the most significant results is an increase in social functioning. The absence of side effects data makes it possible to consider t VR therapy as a safe method. It is needed to make further study the areas of application of VR therapy and conduct research to identify possible side effects of this method.Conclusion: The obtained results are important for drawing attention to the prospect of using VR technologies in Russian psychiatry and demonstrate the need for further study of this method.

scholarly journals How New Technologies Can Improve Prediction, Assessment, and Intervention in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (e-OCD): Review

10.2196/11643 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (12) ◽  
pp. e11643 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florian Ferreri ◽  
Alexis Bourla ◽  
Charles-Siegfried Peretti ◽  
Tomoyuki Segawa ◽  
Nemat Jaafari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Clinical Practices ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Pubmed Database ◽  
The Impact

Background New technologies are set to profoundly change the way we understand and manage psychiatric disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Developments in imaging and biomarkers, along with medical informatics, may well allow for better assessments and interventions in the future. Recent advances in the concept of digital phenotype, which involves using computerized measurement tools to capture the characteristics of a given psychiatric disorder, is one paradigmatic example. Objective The impact of new technologies on health professionals’ practice in OCD care remains to be determined. Recent developments could disrupt not just their clinical practices, but also their beliefs, ethics, and representations, even going so far as to question their professional culture. This study aimed to conduct an extensive review of new technologies in OCD. Methods We conducted the review by looking for titles in the PubMed database up to December 2017 that contained the following terms: [Obsessive] AND [Smartphone] OR [phone] OR [Internet] OR [Device] OR [Wearable] OR [Mobile] OR [Machine learning] OR [Artificial] OR [Biofeedback] OR [Neurofeedback] OR [Momentary] OR [Computerized] OR [Heart rate variability] OR [actigraphy] OR [actimetry] OR [digital] OR [virtual reality] OR [Tele] OR [video]. Results We analyzed 364 articles, of which 62 were included. Our review was divided into 3 parts: prediction, assessment (including diagnosis, screening, and monitoring), and intervention. Conclusions The review showed that the place of connected objects, machine learning, and remote monitoring has yet to be defined in OCD. Smartphone assessment apps and the Web Screening Questionnaire demonstrated good sensitivity and adequate specificity for detecting OCD symptoms when compared with a full-length structured clinical interview. The ecological momentary assessment procedure may also represent a worthy addition to the current suite of assessment tools. In the field of intervention, CBT supported by smartphone, internet, or computer may not be more effective than that delivered by a qualified practitioner, but it is easy to use, well accepted by patients, reproducible, and cost-effective. Finally, new technologies are enabling the development of new therapies, including biofeedback and virtual reality, which focus on the learning of coping skills. For them to be used, these tools must be properly explained and tailored to individual physician and patient profiles.

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