Clinically significant virtual environments for the treatment of panic disorder and agoraphobia

Cyberpsychol Behav. 2004 Oct;7(5):527-35. doi: 10.1089/cpb.2004.7.527.

Abstract

The aim of this work is the description of virtual environments designed to apply exposure therapy in the treatment of panic disorder and agoraphobia. The program allows the simultaneous exposure to two different kinds of stimuli usually avoided by panic disorder and agoraphobia sufferers (external and interoceptive). The characteristics of the virtual environments are described, as well as the target behaviors that can be simulated with these virtual environments.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Agoraphobia / diagnosis
  • Agoraphobia / psychology
  • Agoraphobia / therapy*
  • Arousal
  • Avoidance Learning
  • Humans
  • Internal-External Control
  • Panic Disorder / diagnosis
  • Panic Disorder / psychology
  • Panic Disorder / therapy*
  • Social Environment*
  • Socialization
  • Therapy, Computer-Assisted*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • User-Computer Interface*