Virtual Iraq to Help Traumatized Soldiers

The scientists will launch a simulation game called Virtual Iraq. The simulation, according to the developers, has the goal of helping traumatized soldiers and military staff to recover when they get home from their duty.

Virtual Iraq was developed by scientists at the University of Southern California. However, Reading is now putting the simulation into practice. Thus Virtual Iraq represents a part of an exposure therapy program aiming to help soldiers that suffered from a post-traumatic stress disorder to deal with their psychological trauma. The simulation has already given positive results for its first testers.

Together with Albert Rizzo and Jarrell Pair, from USC Institute for Creative Technologies, Professor Paul Sharkey, who holds the position on the Director of the University of Reading’s Visualization Center, has been developing software able to simulate the sights, smells, as well as sounds and jolts of the battlefield. The Reading’s Visualization Center includes a 3mtr * 3mtr virtual room. From USC headset-delivered application the features that are simulated are transmitted to the application delivered to ReaCToR, the virtual room.

Professors are currently thinking of an alternative for headsets since these devices might heighten the trauma. This is because the process of putting on the headsets can create an illusion of putting on a helmet in the battlefield. Thus Sharkey looks forward to avoid using the helmet technology.

Due to the fact that the current phase of the project is mainly related to display technologies, the scientists hope that it can lead to pilot studies along with therapists and psychologists. In such a way they hope to test the effectiveness of the approach as a therapeutic tool.

All in all the simulation systems provides an experience of real combat but in a low threat context. Thus the exposure of the person to use the device is meticulously monitored by the psychologists. Patients that use USC treatment talk with therapist through their trauma, at the same time wearing goggles. The latter immerse patients into the virtual world.

While soldiers or representatives of military staff are in the system, the therapist can add whether smells, sights or sounds. If talking more specifically, scientists might add roadside bombs, the smell of gunpowder, the odour of burning rubber and the sounds of gunfire or buzzing of the helicopter. The four patients that have already tested the system reported improvement in their symptoms, thus responding positively to the treatment provided by the simulation.

Professor Rizzo hopes to take the new technology to the international scale. Together with Paul Sharkey, Rizzo looks forward to use new information that would help in delivering more qualitative effects in the virtual world so to increase the therapeutic effects of the simulation for those that need help.

According to Professor Rizzo, the application does not have the goal of re-traumatizing people but of re-exposing them to some traumatic events that they would be able to handle. Thus, he says, the system helps people to be more functional and flexible in their every day situations and day-to-day relationships.