Virtual reality as effective as real activities against depression

This is surprising news from a trial with patients with major depression. Those who used a virtual reality headset offering different activities improved as much as those who were suggested to go out in real life.

Virtual activities would combat depression as well as their accomplishment in real life! Details from Géraldine Zamansky, journalist at Health Magazine on France 5.

franceinfo: A young American researcher told you about the improvement of depressed patients thanks to virtual reality?

Geraldine Zamansky: Absolutely, these are hopeful, and very real, results obtained by people with major depressive disorder. By just placing a very sophisticated headset in front of their eyes. Finally, I reassure you, they were not left to their own devices with this device. This was a real clinical trial at Stanford Medical School in California, in which all patients had weekly therapy sessions for three weeks.

Depending on the draw, they were, at the same time, either encouraged to do activities in real life or to use the headset loaned for the study. Its technology really gives the impression of being in the middle of the forest or on the beach. With the possibility of interacting with this environment. One of the options most chosen by participants transformed them into “Jedi” knights, equipped with a lightsaber…

And playing “Star Wars” really brought them out of their depression?

So I started with the most fun example, but above all they visited many places, thanks to very realistic 360° videos, or even did a lot of meditation. As a result, with an average of 4 sessions per week, their state of health has really improved. As much as in the group with real activities.

The coordinator of this study, Dr Margot Paul, explained to me how this solution is suitable for people whose illness often deprives them of the energy to leave the house. The headset seems to break the vicious circle of depression, by stimulating the brain which “wakes up”, thanks to the sensations of pleasure and satisfaction felt.

Some patients report a better ability to concentrate. Others have found the impetus to go to the seaside, after the virtual beach.

Would this allow a sort of brain re-education?

Yes, and these results are welcomed by Professor Christophe Lançon, psychiatrist and head of department at La Conception Hospital, in Marseille. His team already uses this type of device with simulations designed to combat addictions, for example by training patients to manage situations where they risk relapsing. Such an effective tool against certain phobias. But the best headsets are still very expensive. Let’s hope for less expensive solutions and, who knows, future reimbursement by Medicare?

The study