The versatile computer has found a pew role - that of a therapist. In a
study at Georgia Tech, psychologists
have used virtual reality to treat a
group of 10 people suffering from
acrophobia - an irrational fear of
heights (Science, Vol 268, No 5208).
The patients were exposed to
computer constructed views of elevators and bridges projected inside
the visor of a special helmet that the
subjects were asked to wear. The display could be manipulated with
head or hand movements giving the
subjects some amount of control.
After 7 weekly sessions, the anxiety
levels of these patients dropped
drastically compared to a control
sample of 7 patients.
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