Virtual reality room improves phobias in autism

A unique immersive virtual reality treatment, called the Blue Room, is being offered by the National Health Service to help children with autism spectrum disorders overcome their fears and phobias.

“Situation-specific anxieties, fears and phobias can completely stop a child with autism taking part in normal family or school life and there are very few treatment options for them. Currently the main treatment is cognitive behavior therapy but that often doesn't work for a child with autism as it relies on their imagination,” Jeremy Parr, MD, of Newcastle University and the Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, said in a press release. “People with autism can find imagining a scene difficult so by providing it physically in front of the child's eyes we can sit alongside them and help them learn how to manage their fears.”

Researchers from Newcastle University previously reported that eight of nine children who experienced the Blue Room were able to face situations they feared or completely overcome phobias. These associations remained 1 year later.

The Blue Room is a 360-degree seamless screened room in which children are surrounded with audio and visual images representing reality. The room has no external point of reference and therefore children are not required to wear a headset or goggles, which can be distressing to individuals with autism.

Children use iPad controls to interact and navigate the scenario, which include getting on a busy bus, crossing a bridge, shopping and speaking with a shop assistant.

Psychologists provide children with breathing and relaxation exercises in the virtual environment.

Parents can observe children via a video link.

Complexity and noise level can be gradually increased in Blue Room scenes to provide graded exposure.

“Our previous small scale study of this immersive treatment for children is incredibly promising and work is continuing on a much larger study,” Parr said in the release. “To see children able to face a situation that they previously found so distressing, such as going into a shop after just four sessions in the treatment room is amazing. It makes a huge difference to their lives.”

Parr and colleagues plan to study long-term efficacy of the Blue Room in a larger clinical study, with results expected in 2017.