Multimedia and virtual reality techniques in the treatment of male erectile disorders

Abstract

The present study is based on the observation that computer-simulated reality applied by virtual reality (VR) methods may offer a new means of treating male erectile disorders. The experimental design was based on the theory of psychological development, supported by multimedia acoustic experience and clinical tests. The method involved the use of virtual reality equipment and specially designed CD-ROM programmes. Excluding 15% drop-outs, the success rate was 82% for male erectile disorders due to psychological factors and 84%, excluding 17% drop-outs, for combined factor disorders. Psychotherapy with VR seems to hasten the healing process and reduce drop-outs, suggesting that this method opens or consolidates new or rarely used brain pathways, facilitating the¯ow of new mnemonic associations that promote the satisfaction of natural drives.

The VEPSY UPDATED Project: Clinical Rationale and Technical Approach

“…[7][8][9][10] The second clinical focus of the VEPSY Updated project was the treatment of male sexual disturbances. In particular, Optale and his team 11,12 used immersive VR to improve the efficacy of a psychodynamic approach in treating male erectile disorders.…”

PREVIRNEC: A cognitive telerehabilitation system based on Virtual Environments

“…The former group includes musculo-skeletal recovery after bone or muscle injury and post-stroke treatments [5][6][7][8]. Cognitive rehabilitation includes psychological disorders such as phobias [9], sexual dysfunctions [10] and eating disorders [11], along with deficits in cognitive functions such as memory, attention and language following brain injury [12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19]. Finally, virtual rehabilitation has been used to train instrumental activities such as driving [20] and public speaking [21].…”

Avatars in Clinical Psychology: A Framework for the Clinical Use of Virtual Humans

“…The key characteristics of virtual environments for clinical professionals are both the high level of control of the interaction with the tool without the constraints usually found in computer systems, and the enriched experience provided to the patient. 4 Applications of VR technology to psychotherapy and rehabilitation have addressed a variety of pathologies such as phobias, [5][6][7][8] anxiety disorders, 9 eating disorders, 10 sexual disorders, 11 and neurological damages. 12 Virtual environments represent an effective assessment tool as well.…”