The Illusion of Virtual Reality Therapy: Why Practicing VR Therapy is Useless
One cannot argue against the fact that Virtual Reality (VR) therapy is appealing. Supporters evoke that anxiety disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder or even addiction can be cured in a far more advanced way through being immersed into virtual environments. But wrongfully, such claims demean the following misconception as a vapid concept: that VR in itself can effectively substitute the ‘human’ element and compassion.
One of the major drawbacks of VR therapy is that it often depends on accurate manipulation of technology to stir up feelings. Although virtual reality can allow the simulated exposure of the feared environments, it does not capture the whole gamut of emotions experienced. Patients might get used to virtual objects but this does not necessarily translate to progress in the real world.
In addition, often when it comes to optimizing VR for therapy, such aspects as social support – which is of high importance in the process as most people have someone to help them recover, utterly neglected. Every form of therapy is incomplete without human interaction; this gives the patients safety, affirmation, and connection. When the patients encourage themselves by restraining themselves in a virtual world, we still seem to cut these very factors out.
Lastly, It also comes with some ethical issues and challenges. Who creates or is in control of the virtual space? Who makes certain that patients are not exposed to any material or activities that they may find worrying and/or destructive? It is a real concern as there is no regulation and supervision in this matter and there is always going to be a дисbalance in control.
