Using Augmented Reality To Treat Cockroach Phobia

RichDiesal writes "In this blog post, I describe a new use for augmented reality — treating people for cockroach phobia. A recent paper in the academic journal Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking discusses a system where people suffering from cockroach phobia sit at a desk with a virtual reality headset. The headset has a camera on the front so that patients see the desk they're sitting at — but covered in cockroaches. In the study, researchers managed to elicit a fear response to virtual cockroaches similar to what would be experienced with real cockroaches. Sounds like a little slice of hell to me."

Comments

La Cucaroacha

[flyneye]

>())))))...

         

Peril Sensitive sunglasses may be a better option

[jamesh]

Wouldn't it be better that as soon as the glasses detect a cockroach they 'augment reality' by becoming completely opaque?

Re:There are better, quicker ways to phobia relief

[Anonymous Coward]

I'm sure you are and were very well-intentioned, but amateur counseling based on pop psychology is akin to amateur surgery with a shotgun.
You might consider a hobby with less potential danger like hand grenade tennis or blindfolded street racing. ;-)