technology in the care of ptsd: mobile applications, websites and virtual reality

Technology in the Care of PTSD: Mobile Applications, Websites and Virtual Reality

Julie Kinn, Ph.D. & Kelly Blasko, Ph.D.

March 16, 2012

Agenda

• Introductions – T2• What is PTSD?• Traditional Care Models• Technology and Psychology• Demos/Videos

– AfterDeployment.org– PTSD Coach– PTSD Experience (Second Life)

• Discussion

National Center for Telehealth & Technology (T2)

• Mission: Improve psychological health and traumatic brain injury recovery in the military community.

• Designs, develops and deploys web, mobile, and virtual-reality-based therapeutic tools for the military community.

• Comprised of clinical and research psychologists as well as tech developers.

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T2 Mobile Applications

Quiz(True & False)

1. In the DSM-IV, PTSD is classified as an adjustment disorder.

2. Service members usually experience PTSD symptoms immediately following combat.

3. People who have been traumatized will develop PTSD.

4. PTSD is both a behavioral and physiological reaction.

5. Prolonged exposure to stress can be helpful to someone with PTSD.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

• Classified as an anxiety disorder in the DSM-IV

• Can occur after someone goes through or sees a traumatic event.

Diagnostic Criteria

• Criterion A: Stressor• Criterion B: Intrusive Recollection• Criterion C: Avoidant/Numbing• Criterion D: Hyper-arousal• Criterion E: Duration• Criterion F: Functional Significance

Diagnostic Criteria

• Criterion A: Stressor– Event that involved actual or threatened death

or serious injury, or a threat to the physical integrity of self or others.

– Response involves intense fear, helplessness, or horror.

Prevalence of PTSD

• Adult Americans (NCS-R, 2001-2003)– Lifetime prevalence – 6.8%

• Service Members– Vietnam Veterans (NVVRS, 1986-1988)

• 15.2% of males and 8.1% of females were currently diagnosed with PTSD

– Gulf War Veterans (Kang, et. Al, 1995-1997)• 12.1% were currently diagnosed with PTSD

– Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom (RAND, 2008)

• 13.8% were currently diagnosed with PTSD

Congressional Mandate

Video

http://bcove.me/1uit6vms

Treatment

• Psychopharmacology• Group Therapy• Cognitive Processing Therapy• Eye Movement Desensitization and

Reprocessing (EMDR) • Prolonged Exposure Therapy

Technology & Psychology

Technology- Web

- Mobile Apps- Virtual Reality

- Telehealth

Psychology- Stigma

- Accessibility- Effectiveness- Standard of

Care

New Models

of Care

Why Use Technology inMilitary Healthcare?

• Overcomes barriers to care– Stigma:

• Websites and mobile applications are anonymous • Use interfaces and platforms familiar to Service

Members

– Logistics:• “Hip pocket” availability• 24/7 access to care, 365 days a year

PTSD Coach

http://t2health.org/apps/ptsd-coach

AfterDeployment.org

http://www.afterdeployment.org/

AfterDeployment PTSD Module

http://www.afterdeployment.org/topics-post-traumatic-stress

Virtual World – Second Life

http://t2health.org/vwproj

Prolonged Exposure with VR

•Sight•Sound•Smell•Motion (vibration or Virtusphere)

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MilitaryKidsConnect.org

https://www.militarykidsconnect.org/

Summary

• PTSD treatment is a growing need• Variety of treatment options and adjuncts

to treatment exist• There is room for creativity as technology

advances

Contact T2

National Center for Telehealth & Technology

9933C West Hayes Street

Joint Base Lewis-McChord

Tacoma, WA 98431

For more information on T2 apps or programs, please visit: www.T2Health.org

Or contact T2 at: AskUs@T2Health.org