Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy in posttraumatic stress disorder: A brief review to open new opportunities for post-fall syndrome in elderly subjects

BackgroundA fall can lead to psychological consequences that contribute to the emergence of a post-fall syndrome or even a Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This syndrome makes rehabilitation more difficult because of the need to take both the motor and psychological consequences into account. Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) has already been presented as a useful therapeutic tool to improve motor rehabilitation or anxiety disorders. More recently, VR has also been tested with success in treating combat-related PTSD.MethodsWe conducted a rapid review of studies that have used this technique in the treatment of PTSD with a computer search strategy on MEDLINE using the Medical Subject Headings: “PTSD” AND “virtual reality”.ResultsThe results of this review suggest the potential efficacy of VRET in the treatment of PTSD for different types of trauma and it could therefore, be specifically related to falls in elderly patients. Indeed, the psychological symptoms of post-fall syndrome presented by some elderly subjects after a fall can be related to PTSD.ConclusionIt would appear worthwhile to carry out studies in virtual environments in order to evaluate the usefulness of VRET for the development of novel treatments for this syndrome in elderly subjects.