An Australian university student is conducting trials on a virtual reality treatment for agoraphobics.

[URL=http://www.mq.edu.au/]Macquarie University[/URL]'s Eric Malbos developed the game as part of his push for a PhD. The game, as detailed [URL=http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/virtual-reality-game-helps-agoraphobics-step-outside-their-comfort-zone-20100625-z9rh.html]in the Sydney Morning Herald[/URL], is based on “exposure therapy,” in which people are “exposed to their fear or phobia in a safe environment and then taught how to deal with it.”

The virtual reality program was described thusly:

Computer-generated graphics are beamed into a head-mounted display which is worn by the patient. The game is fully interactive: each time the patient moves, so does their virtual reality body.

The game has a series of virtual environments that agoraphobics commonly fear, such as a crowded train station, long bridges or a busy supermarket. [URL=http://www.gamepolitics.com/2010/06/25/au-phd-candidate-develops-vr-program-treat-agoraphobia][B][COLOR=#8e0505]Read More[/COLOR][/B][/URL]

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