Virtual reality therapy used to help autistic children overcome their fears

The Blue Room, developed by Newcastle University specialists working alongside the Third Eye NeuroTech technology company, allows the team to create a personalized 360-degree environment involving fear that can weaken the world. autistic person in real life.

In the test study, it was found that 45% of children were released from their phobias six months after treatment.

An 11-year-old boy who was terrified by dogs and would become hysterical if he saw one found so that his family now has a very popular pet burrow.

In this virtual environment, which does not require goggles, the child can easily explore and navigate different scenarios working with a therapist using iPad commands, while maintaining total control of the situation. .

A separate study also showed for the first time that the treatment was effective in some adults with autism.

"For many children and their families, anxiety can reign in their lives as they try to avoid situations that can trigger fear or phobia for their child," said Professor Jeremy Parr, who led study.

"Being able to offer NHS treatment that works and seeing children cope so well gives hope to families who have very few treatment options for anxiety."

The Blue Room is based in Durham County and created with the University by Third Eye NeuroTech technology specialists.

The randomized controlled trial involved 32 autistic children aged 8 to 14 years.

Half immediately received treatment in the blue room and the other half acted as a control group, receiving deferred treatment six months later.

After receiving the treatment and with the support of their parents, the children were introduced to the scenario they feared in the real world.

Two weeks after treatment, research shows that four of the top 16 (25%) had responded to treatment and were able to cope with a specific phobia.

This effect remained, with a total of six showing improvement after six months (38%), however, one reported a worsening of their phobia.

Meanwhile, in the control group, five untreated participants were aggravated within six months.

The control group was then treated in the blue room after this hour. The results showed that, overall, 40% of children treated improved at two weeks and 45% at six months.

Phobias are thought to affect about 25% of children with autism.

The treatment also helped a 26-year-old girl graduate from university after overcoming her paralyzing fear of crossing the doors or into a long corridor.

The university said the NHS treatment was available to British families through the Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorders Service of the NHS Trust Foundation of Northumberland.