{"id":197,"date":"2018-01-25T09:31:22","date_gmt":"2018-01-25T09:31:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vrphobia.eu\/?page_id=197"},"modified":"2018-01-26T14:14:35","modified_gmt":"2018-01-26T14:14:35","slug":"press-releases","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/vrphobia.eu\/?page_id=197","title":{"rendered":"Press releases"},"content":{"rendered":"

Virtual Reality Therapy for Fear of Flying<\/a><\/h2>
\"\"\r\n\r\nIs your fear of flying<\/strong> preventing you from that vacation you\u2019ve been dreaming of, or have you been unable to move up in your job because you refuse to travel on an airplane? \u00a0Virtual Reality Therapy<\/strong> may be the solution you've been looking for!\r\n\r\nAmazingly up to 20% of Americans suffer from aerophobia, or the fear of flying. Some\u00a0symptoms<\/a>\u00a0may include a racing heart, increased sweating, shaking, flushed skin, feeling disoriented, and an inability to concentrate. You may even have had an anxiety or panic attack when you were just thinking about flying. In fact, some individuals refuse to go to the airport to pick up friends or loved ones because of this phobia.\r\n\r\nWhether you are a first-time flyer who is considering taking a trip, or you've tried to fly in the past and been unable to before due to your flying phobia, many individuals are finding help in the form of a virtual world.\r\n\r\nVirtual Reality therapy exposes you to flying scenarios in the safety and comfort of the therapist\u2019s office. Licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Brenda K. Wiederhold<\/a>, PhD, MBA, President of the Virtual Reality Medical Center (VRMC) in La Jolla, California has been practicing Virtual Reality (VR) therapy for over 2 decades. She completed the first randomized controlled clinical trial in 1996 using Virtual Reality and biofeedback to treat patients with a fear of flying. \u00a0And the VRMC<\/a> has been successfully performing VR therapy now for 24 years! \u00a0 With a new set of skills on how to react differently and think differently about flying, followed by gradual exposure through VR, you can be taking flight in no time! \u00a0Most individuals with a specific phobia require on average one clinical intake session and 10 treatment sessions. \u00a0If you live in the San Diego area, you can choose to come once a week or twice a week. \u00a0If you are coming from out of the area, we can accommodate \"condensed treatment\" where you will experience one VR session per day, each day, Monday-Friday.<\/div><\/article>

28th Annual Meeting of the Academy of Integrative Pain Management<\/a><\/h2>
On Friday, October 20, Dr. Brenda K. Wiederhold was an invited speaker at the\u00a0Academy of Integrative Pain Management\u2019s<\/em>\u00a028th<\/sup>\u00a0Annual Meeting. As the \u201clargest network of pain care professionals\u201d, this conference exhibited the best practices and latest advancements in integrative pain management. Recent attention on the opioid crisis in America has heightened the awareness for nonpharmacological adjunctive pain care techniques. Virtual reality (VR) has emerged as an innovative technological application for pain distraction.\r\n\r\nDr. Wiederhold\u2019s presentation focused on the use of virtual reality as an adjunctive pain management tool. With twenty-four years of clinical virtual reality (VR) experience, Dr. Wiederhold shared her VR research in dental pain management<\/strong>, surgical<\/strong> pain distraction<\/strong>, and chronic pain management<\/strong>. Referencing less medication, less pain, and lower physician stress, Dr. Wiederhold cited recent surgical pain distraction publications that highlight the significance of VR\u2019s health care capabilities. \u201cIn both gynecological surgery and endoscopic procedures, physiological indicators of pain were reduced in patients using VR distraction\u201d, Wiederhold noted. As well, in chronic pain management<\/strong>, VR can be a useful adjunctive tool for patient education and therapy. \u00a0The presentation concluded with a brief question and answer.\r\n\r\nContact: \u00a0frontoffice @ vrphobia.com (delete the spaces to send an email)\r\n\r\nVisit our YouTube channel for more information: \u00a0www.Youtube.com\/VirtualMedical<\/div><\/article>

New Randomized Double-Blind Clinical Study Shows Oska Pulse Significantly Reduces Pain<\/a><\/h2>
https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/new-randomized-double-blind-clinical-study-shows-oska-pulse-significantly-reduces-pain-300594128.html\r\n\r\nCARLSBAD,\u00a0Calif., Feb. 6, 2018<\/span> \/PRNewswire\/ \u2014 Oska Wellness<\/a>, a technology company committed to developing consumer health and wellness products, has released the results of a randomized double-blind\u00a0placebo study showing significant results in pain reduction by using Oska Pulse.\r\n\r\nThe clinical trial was completed at the Virtual Reality Medical Center, Scripps Memorial Hospital, in La Jolla, California<\/span>and conducted by a respected team of doctors: Dr. Joseph Shurman<\/span>, Dr. Brenda K. Wiederhold<\/span>, Dr. Roger Kasendorf<\/span>, Dr. John Qian<\/span>, and Dr. Mark D. Wiederhold<\/span>. \u00a0The detailed findings have been published here<\/a>, the Practical Pain Management Journal <\/i>website, which offers current, useful, and practical information for patients living with chronic pain, and for the medical professionals who treat them.\r\n\r\n\u201cWe were very encouraged with this trial and it has provided valuable information on how PEMF therapy can treat chronic pain,\u201d said Dr. Brenda Wiederhold<\/span>. \u201cWith the opioid epidemic, it is really timely to find other non-narcotic pain relief solutions for patients.\u201d\r\n\r\n\u201cI am very excited as the study\u00a0confirms that using the Oska Pulse is a true pain relief device regardless of the user(s) background.\u201d Greg Houlgate<\/span>, President and CEO of Oska Wellness. \u201cOska Pulse is providing relief for many early users of the product by helping to reduce back, shoulder, knee, ankle, and foot pain, as well as chronic pain issues. The feedback from this double-blind study confirms that Oska Pulse can really help people dealing with pain.\u201d<\/div><\/article>

Top 10 Developments as We Move into Third Decade of Virtual Reality\u2026<\/a><\/h2>
https:\/\/healthmanagement.org\/c\/healthmanagement\/issuearticle\/virtual-reality-clinic-a-case-study\r\n\r\n \r\n

The growing role of VR in healthcare.<\/b><\/h4>\r\nHow has VR developed and what potential does it have for future healthcare?\r\n\r\nIn the 1990s, there were no resources dedicated to virtual reality (VR) and behavioural healthcare \u2013 no journals, no clinics, no conferences, no training programmes and only few advanced technologies. Today, we find ourselves in the midst of a new exciting and challenging era of technology-enhanced behavioural healthcare\u2026\r\n\r\n\"\"<\/a><\/div><\/article>

Virtual Reality for the Attenuation of Pain and Anxiety<\/a><\/h2>
The Virtual Reality Medical Center and nonprofit affiliate, Interactive Media Institute, recently published the article, \u201cUsing Virtual Reality to Mobilize Health Care: Mobile Virtual Reality Technology for Attenuation of Anxiety and Pain\u201d in the January Issue of\u00a0IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine<\/em>. The article summarizes the use of virtual reality as a tool for pain distraction and stress reduction in patients. This tool has been used to treat phobias, stress disorders, distract from surgical pain, and help overcome chronic pain. As a mobile healthcare platform, virtual reality and related technologies are changing the face of healthcare services by increasing access, efficiency, and effectiveness.\r\n\r\nFor the full text, please visit:\u00a0http:\/\/ieeexplore.ieee.org\/document\/8197481\/<\/a>\r\n\r\nPlease direct any questions regarding this article to Dr. Brenda K. Wiederhold at\u00a0frontoffice@vrphobia.com<\/a>\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nWiederhold BK, Miller IT, Wiederhold MD. Using Virtual Reality to Mobilize Health Care: Mobile Virtual Reality Technology for Attenuation of Anxiety and Pain. IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine. 2018 Jan;7(1):106-9.<\/div><\/article>

Emerging Technologies Helping to Mobilize Healthcare Services<\/a><\/h2>
Collaborating with an international group of researchers, Dr. Brenda Wiederhold, Ian Miller, and Dr. Mark Wiederhold recently published a chapter in\u00a0Digital Health: Scaling Healthcare to the World<\/em>. Edited by Homero Rivas and \u00a0Katarzyna Wac of Stanford University, this book presents a comprehensive overview of state-of-the-art approach to digital health technologies and healthcare practices. Wiederhold, Miller, and Wiederhold contributed a chapter titled, \u201cAugmenting Behavioral Healthcare:Mobilizing Services with Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality.\u201d This chapter focuses on the use of virtual and augmented reality in behavioral healthcare. More specifically, it describes how these portable technologies can be used to increase access and efficiency of behavioral health interventions.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nYou may purchase the full text at:\u00a0https:\/\/link.springer.com\/chapter\/10.1007\/978-3-319-61446-5_9<\/a>\r\n\r\nFor questions regarding the chapter, please contact Dr. Brenda K. Wiederhold (frontoffice@vrphobia.com<\/a>).\r\n\r\nWiederhold BK, Miller I, Wiederhold MD. Augmenting Behavioral Healthcare: Mobilizing Services with Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality. InDigital Health 2018 (pp. 123-137). Springer, Cham.<\/div><\/article>

Encompassing Mental Health<\/a><\/h2>
San Diego, CA<\/strong>: On September 29th<\/sup>, 2017, Interactive Media Institute (IMI) traveled to Riverside, California to present at the annual Encompassing Mental Health (EMH) conference. Organized by\u00a0Reach Out<\/em>\u00a0and the\u00a0Inland Health Professions Coalition<\/em>\u2014a youth development organization\u2014this event educated high school juniors and seniors in the Moreno Valley area on behavioral health practice, pathway, and occupations. IMI\u2019s representative, Ian Miller, spoke to the conference attendees about the use of virtual reality in behavioral health interventions and the importance of increasing access to mental health services in their community. Additionally, the attendees participated in a group discussion about destigmatizing mental illness. When asked about what they had learned, one student planning to study psychology in college said \u201cI\u2019d never heard of virtual reality therapy until today, but it\u2019s an interesting new field in psychology!\u201d While receiving a demonstration on the use of virtual reality relaxation in the treatment of anxiety disorders, another attendee said \u201cIt\u2019s so cool that I can just put on this headset and sit on a beach to relax.\u201d<\/div><\/article>

Gender Differences in Virtual Reality Surgical Pain Distraction<\/a><\/h2>
Researchers from Belgium, Italy, Mexico, and California (USA) recently published a report comparing gender differences in virtual reality pain distraction following cardiac surgery. This international team from previous compared patients\u2019 physiological and subjective responses based on gender. Very few studies have examined gender differences in physiological responses to VR. This study suggests that VR is an effective medium to reduce stress and anxiety in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. The researchers are interested in continued investigation and are working toward making this intervention more effective, less expensive and available across platforms to include mobile healthcare and behavioral health.\r\n\r\nFor information on this study, please contact the corresponding author, Brenda K. Wiederhold (frontoffice@vrphobia.com<\/a>).\r\n\r\nTo access the full text:\u00a0http:\/\/www.alliedacademies.org\/articles\/study-of-gender-differences-in-vr-response-following-cardiac-surgery-6922.html<\/a>\r\n\r\nMosso JL, Wiederhold BK, La Paglia F, Guarino D, La Barbera D, Mosso Jr JL, Miller I, Wiederhold MD. Study of gender differences in VR response following cardiac surgery. Journal of Psychology and Cognition. 2017;2(1).\u00a0http:\/\/www.alliedacademies.org\/articles\/study-of-gender-differences-in-vr-response-following-cardiac-surgery-6922.html<\/a><\/div><\/article>

The Power of Virtual Reality for Pain and Anxiety<\/a><\/h2>
http:\/\/pain-practitioner.aapainmanage.org\/doc\/american-academy-of-pain-management\/the-pain-practitioner---aug17\/2017080801\/#20<\/a>\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nThe Pain Practitioner interviewed Professor Dr. Brenda K Wiederhold, Chief Executive Officer of the Interactive Media Institute, a 501c3 non-profit,\r\n\r\nand President of the Virtual Reality Medical Center. \u00a0Please click on Pain Practitioner link above to read the 3-page interview.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nContact Information:\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nEmail: \u00a0frontoffice @ vrphobia.com\r\n\r\nWiederhold's clinic uses the technology for medical therapy to help patients deal with PTSD, anxiety, phobias (like fear of flying), pain during medical procedures and chronic pain. She predicts more clinics using VR will pop-up in California and across the country within the near future.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nContact Information:\r\n\r\nVirtual Reality Medical Center\r\n\r\n9834 Genesee Avenue, Suite 427\r\n\r\nLa Jolla, California USA\r\n\r\nfrontoffice @ vrphobia.com<\/div><\/article>

Helping teens curb the desire to smoke with virtual reality<\/a><\/h2>
On July 31, 2017\u00a0The Open Family Studies Journal<\/em>\u00a0published \u201cVirtual Reality Smoking Cessation\u2014Designed for Teens, by Teens. This report, conducted by the Virtual Reality Medical Center (VRMC) and Interactive Media Institute (IMI), sought to teach high school students how to recognize and resist triggers or \u201ccues\u201d that make them want to smoke. With input from the students themselves, VRMC created a virtual home and virtual school containing scenes that typically evoke an urge to smoke. The students were then prompted with games like stomp the cigarette butt to help extinguish the urge. They could also choose to play the virtual drums as a form of distraction. Overall, the report explains the Cue Exposure Therapy (CET) used to treat smoking addictions, how the virtual environments were created, and the program functionalities.\r\n\r\nFor more information on the publication, you can download it for free here:\u00a0https:\/\/benthamopen.com\/FULLTEXT\/TOFAMSJ-9-21<\/a>\u00a0or contact Dr. Brenda K. Wiederhold at the Virtual Reality Medical Center.\r\n\r\nWiederhold BK, Miller I, Wiederhold MD. Virtual Reality Smoking Cessation\u2013Designed for Teens, by Teens. The Open Family Studies Journal. 2017 Jul 31;9(1).<\/div><\/article><\/main>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":195,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-197","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vrphobia.eu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/197","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vrphobia.eu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vrphobia.eu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vrphobia.eu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vrphobia.eu\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=197"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/vrphobia.eu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/197\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":471,"href":"https:\/\/vrphobia.eu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/197\/revisions\/471"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vrphobia.eu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/195"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vrphobia.eu\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=197"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}