UNASSIGNED: During the last decade a number of studies have been conducted in order to examine if virtual reality exposure therapy can be an alternative form of therapy for the treatment of @entity146 and particularly for the treatment of @entity148 . Imaginal exposure therapy, which is one of the components of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, cannot be easily applied to all @entity1 and in cases like those virtual reality can be used as an alternative or a supportive psychotherapeutic technique. Most studies using virtual reality have focused on @entity148 , mainly in specific @entity913 , but some extend to other disorders such as @entity1277 , @entity734 , @entity158 control and palliative care and rehabilitation. Main characteristics of virtual reality therapy are: "interaction", "immersion", and "presence". High levels of "immersion" and "presence" are associated with increased response to exposure therapy in virtual environments, as well as better therapeutic outcomes and sustained therapeutic gains. Typical devices that are used in order @entity1 's immersion to be achieved are the @entity135 ( @entity135 ), which are only for individual use, and the computer automatic virtual environment (CAVE), which is a multiuser. Virtual reality therapy's disadvantages lie in the difficulties that arise due to the demanded specialized technology skills, devices' cost and side effects. Therapists' training is necessary in order for them to be able to manipulate the software and the hardware and to adjust it to each case's needs. Devices' cost is high but as technology continuously improves it constantly decreases. Immersion during virtual reality therapy can induce mild and temporary side effects such as @entity390 , @entity1296 or @entity10 . Until today, however, experience shows that virtual reality offers several advantages. @entity1 's avoidance to be exposed in phobic stimuli is reduced via the use of virtual reality since the @entity1 is exposed to them as many times as he wishes and under the supervision of the therapist. The technique takes place in the therapist's office which ensures confidentiality and privacy. The therapist is able to control unpredicted events that can occur during @entity1 's exposure in real environments. Mainly the therapist can control the intensity of exposure and adapt it to the @entity1 's needs. Virtual reality can be proven particularly useful in some specific psychological states. For instance, @entity1 with @entity1005 ( @entity1005 ) who prone to avoid the reminders of the traumatic events. Exposure in virtual reality can solve this problem providing to the @entity1 a large number of stimuli that activate the senses causing the necessary physiological and @entity148 , regardless of his willingness or ability to recall in his imagination the traumatic event.

[Virtual reality therapy in XXXX ].

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients', 'patient', 'Patient'] @entity135 :: ('MESH:D006258', 'Disease') :: ['HMD', 'Head-Mounted Displays'] @entity390 :: ('MESH:D009325', 'Disease') :: ['nausea'] @entity146 :: ('MESH:D001523', 'Disease') :: ['mental disorders'] @entity913 :: ('MESH:D010698', 'Disease') :: ['phobias'] @entity1005 :: ('MESH:D013313', 'Disease') :: ['post-traumatic stress disorder', 'PTSD'] @entity148 :: ('MESH:D001008', 'Disease') :: ['psychological anxiety reactions', 'anxiety disorders'] @entity1277 :: ('MESH:D001068', 'Disease') :: ['eating disorders'] @entity158 :: ('MESH:D010146', 'Disease') :: ['pain'] @entity1296 :: ('MESH:D004244', 'Disease') :: ['dizziness'] @entity10 :: ('MESH:D006261', 'Disease') :: ['headache'] @entity734 :: ('MESH:D019966', 'Disease') :: ['drug dependence']
@entity148 :: (MESH:D001008,Disease) :: ['anxiety disorders']
