Virtual Reality (VR) therapy is proving to be a promising treatment for hoarding disorder, a mental health condition that affects approximately 2.5% of the US population. Stanford Medicine researchers recently conducted a pilot study that suggests integrating VR technology into therapy sessions can help individuals with hoarding disorder practice decluttering in a virtual simulation of their living space. This innovative approach aims to develop organizational and decision-making skills while desensitizing patients to the emotional distress associated with parting with possessions.
Hoarding disorder, officially recognized as a mental disorder since 2013, remains under-recognized and undertreated. Those affected by this condition, often older individuals, struggle to let go of possessions, leading to clutter accumulation. Dr. Carolyn Rodriguez, the senior author of the study and a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, emphasized the challenges of providing effective treatment for hoarding disorder. Stigma and shame often prevent individuals from seeking help, and cluttered environments can be hazardous for clinicians.
To address these challenges, the research team developed a virtual environment that provides a safe space for individuals to practice letting go of items. In the study, nine participants over the age of 55, all diagnosed with hoarding disorder, documented the most cluttered room in their homes through photos and videos. These visual materials were then transformed into custom 3D virtual environments in collaboration with a VR company and Stanford University engineering students. Equipped with VR headsets and handheld controllers, participants navigated these virtual spaces and manipulated their possessions.
Over the span of 16 weeks, participants engaged in online group therapy that provided peer support and cognitive behavioral skills related to hoarding. During weeks 7 to 14, participants also received individual VR sessions guided by a clinician. These sessions focused on understanding attachment to possessions and practicing the process of placing items in recycling, donation, or trash bins within the virtual environment. Subsequently, participants were tasked with discarding the actual items in their homes.
Preliminary results of the study showed promising outcomes. Seven out of the nine participants reported a decrease in self-reported hoarding symptoms, with an average reduction of 25%. Additionally, eight out of nine participants demonstrated reduced clutter in their homes, based on visual assessments conducted by clinicians, with an average decrease of 15%. While these improvements align with those seen in group therapy alone, the potential added value of virtual reality therapy for hoarding disorder requires further exploration.
Contrary to initial concerns about the technology’s suitability for older patients, participants found the virtual reality experience enjoyable and beneficial. The study highlights the feasibility and acceptance of VR therapy for hoarding disorder, offering an alternative treatment avenue for cases where traditional approaches may be challenging or unsafe. The findings were published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research.
In conclusion, VR therapy shows promise as an effective treatment for hoarding disorder. By providing a virtual environment for individuals to practice letting go of possessions, it helps them develop organizational skills and confront the emotional distress associated with decluttering. Although more research is needed to fully understand the potential benefits of VR therapy, this innovative approach offers a new avenue for treatment in cases where traditional methods may be difficult to implement.
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