Virtual Reality as a Therapeutic Tool: Exploring Its Application in Addressing Situational Fears among Patients in the Philippines

Abstract

Virtual reality (VR) has emerged as a revolutionary therapeutic tool in the landscape of psychiatric treatment, bringing novel techniques to tackling situational anxieties such as anxiety and depression. In the Philippines, individuals suffering from a variety of situational phobias are the subjects of this study, which investigates the applicability and effectiveness of virtual reality (VR)-based exposure therapy. Virtual reality (VR) enables therapists to guide patients through exposure therapy with greater precision and flexibility by recreating real-world environments within a virtual arena that is both controlled and safe. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the therapy interventions, the research utilised a mixed-methods strategy, which included both quantitative evaluations of fear reduction and qualitative input from the participants on their experiences. The findings indicate that participants had considerable reductions in their levels of dread and anxiety, which highlights the potential of virtual reality software to improve conventional therapeutic procedures. In addition, the study investigates the practical and ethical aspects that are involved in incorporating virtual reality (VR) into psychiatric treatment, such as accessibility and patient comfort. This research makes a contribution to the expanding body of evidence that supports virtual reality (VR) as a helpful tool in mental health care. This is especially true in regions such as the Philippines, where there is a growing demand for innovative ways to psychological treatment.