Arab Health 2024: UAE launches ‘immersive’ virtual reality mental health lab to treat phobias and anxiety

The lab simulates real-life situations to help therapists assess the level of anxiety and phobia in a controlled environment. It also helps patients immediately return to their “safe place” adapted to their conditions and calm down if they feel stressed by the immersive environment, explained Dr. Ammar Humaid Al Banna, director of Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital in Dubai.

In theory, Dr. Al Banna said, any type of anxiety could be treated if the right protocol is developed.

This initiative, which prioritizes human well-being, is the first of its kind in the Middle East and aims to create a significant advancement in patient care, according to Dr. Essam Al Zarooni, acting executive director of clinical services at EHS.

“The goal is to help create programs that help patients without needing to leave the hospital,” Dr Al Banna told Gulf News. He said it will be helpful to many, as five to 10 percent of the population has some symptoms of anxiety or phobias that require interventions.

“The therapist works with the patient within the immersive lab to create a calming and relaxing experience using generative AI and this experience will be unique to that patient. And then from this safe place, [the Lab] “It gradually exposes them to anxiety situations until they overcome them in this laboratory so that they can handle them in real life.”

In addition to the visual images on the giant screen, hands-free touch and olfactory sensors will be used to simulate the required environment.

With technological advancement, cognitive-behavioral therapy through Augmented Reality is used to correct thoughts and behaviors. “The technology also aims to train and educate people with autism spectrum disorders in social skills through interactive environments.”

Compared to traditional methods, immersive reality psychological therapy technology works to create an innovative and interactive therapeutic environment that contributes to the development of advanced and personalized treatment plans for a broader segment of society. This technology can develop treatments for seniors, children, and individuals with sensory and cognitive difficulties such as anxiety, Internet addiction, and some behavioral challenges associated with autism.