In yesterday’s article, we talked about how virtual reality (VR) simulations can be effective in helping surgeons perform preoperative planning because they immerse the user in such a way that the brain makes new connections as it learns. Aside from the obvious gaming applications, VR may now be at a tipping point where it stands to transform many industries including mental health. While neuroscientists begin to explore how VR affects the brain, it’s already being used to effectively treat various mental health conditions.
There are over 450 different mental disorders listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) published by the American Psychiatric Association. Many of these can be treated or alleviated with a group of methods called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – a therapy that aims to change deep-seated thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes that negatively distort our view on life. Another large group of anxiety disorders including phobias is regularly treated with exposure therapy where patients are exposed to the source of their anxiety without ever being in danger. By repeatedly going through the experience unscathed, patients can rewire their brains and overcome their fears. Virtual reality is an efficient medium to deliver such therapies and it can also help in quick and accurate patient assessments. We scoured the web to find ten examples of startups using VR to treat various mental conditions.
Openmind 360Teenage Mental HealthIsrael0.14
| Name | Application | City | Funding (USD millions) |
| Limbix | Fears, Addiction, Mindfulness | Palo Alto, California | 7 |
| Oxford VR | Anxiety, Psychosis, Fear of Heights | Oxford, UK | 4.2 |
| Psious | In-person Therapy + VR and Biofeedback | Barcelona, Spain | 1.2 |
| Happinss | Employee Stress Management | San Jose, California | 0.27 |
| MindCotine | Quitting Smoking | San Jose, California | 0.13 |
| Rendever | Depression and Isolation of the Elderly | Cambridge, Massachusetts | 0.04 |
| Cognitive Leap Solutions | Attention Disorders of Children | Pasadena, California | undisclosed |
| AppliedVR | Chronic and Acute Pain and Anxiety in a Hospital Setting | Los Angeles, California | undisclosed |
| Virtue Health | Dementia, Menopause, Heart Disease, Arthritis | London, UK | undisclosed |
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Date: April 17, 2019
Source: nanalyze
