It is coming at them in an uncontrollable way. VRE therapy lets the patients recall and actually get re-immersed into the experience in a graduated and controlled fashion. We can slow it down with the cooperation of the patient. According to Ready, treatment is free and available for Vietnam veterans who appear likely to benefit from this study, based on an independent evaluation at Emory. Veterans who participate will go through eight to ten sessions of VRE therapy and four assessments.
Sessions generally last an hour and a half.
During that time, the veteran's heart rate is monitored while he or she is introduced to the computer-generated surroundings. Situations gradually increase in intensity as the veteran feels more comfortable. Throughout the session, veterans are asked to describe what they are seeing and feeling, while being provided with adequate corrective therapeutic interventions. In the helicopter scenario, participants are asked to sit in a bucket-like seat that simulates helicopter vibration while flying at various altitudes. The visual is simulated terrain in Vietnam.