Update and expansion of the virtual Iraq/Afghanistan PTSD exposure therapy system

Abstract

The stressful experiences that have been characteristic of the combat environments in Iraq and Afghanistan have produced significant numbers of returning service members at risk for developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other psychosocial/behavioral health conditions. A growing literature has now evolved that suggests that Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) may be a useful approach for addressing this healthcare challenge. This chapter describes the newly updated Virtual Iraq/Afghanistan system for the delivery of VRET for PTSD in United States Service Members and Veterans. In addition to the complete rebuilding of this VRET system using the latest version of the Unity Game Engine, the system’s content and functionality is now being expanded to support the specific VRET needs of combat medics/corpsmen and persons who have experienced military sexual trauma (MST). The system has also been reconfigured for use as a tool for the delivery of psychological resilience and coping skill training prior to a military deployment. This chapter extends upon information presented by García-Palacios et al. In Chap. 14 on the history and rationale for VRET use with PTSD and on the Reger et al. In Chap. 15 on the early development and dissemination of the initial version of the Virtual Iraq/Afghanistan system, also in this volume. The chapter also presents the context and rationale for the updated system and a general overview of the progress on the new projects that aim to expand the relevant and customizable options for conducting VRET with a wider range of trauma experiences and as a tool for use to prevent the incidence of combat-related PTSD via pre-deployment psychological resilience/coping training.