Fear of Heights (ACROPHOBIA)
The CAREN system can be used also for treatment of Acrophobia, or the fear of heights.
This phobia is manifested by an irrational fear of height situations resulting in the avoidance of such situations altogether, or the confrontationof such situations. This fear for some patients is so intense that they avoid height situations at all
costs.
One of the Virtual environments used with the CAREN system is the Elevator (Lift)
Acrophobia can be treated with the use of exposure therapy. The patientis exposed to progressively higher anxiety conditions.These may include a situation where the 6 Degrees of freedom motion base is mimicking the elevator being stuck, or even gradual falling.
The same environmentcan also be used (with a slightly different 3D scene to treat fear of closed places (CLAUSTROPHOBIA) one of the signs of claustrophobia is refusal to ride in an enclosed elevator.
MOTEK Medicals Virtual reality technology provides an environment for patients to be exposed to these situations without any real world risks to personal safety.