Introduction to a Life-Changing Treatment
Mike Molder, a 35-year-old retired military veteran, was working at Nebraska Furniture Mart when he experienced a severe headache. He sought care on the VA hospital in Omaha, but his claustrophobia made him unable to finish an MRI. This difficult experience led him to avoid treatment for one more two years, until his symptoms worsened, and he finally went to Nebraska Medicine. There, he had an MRI under sedation, which revealed a tumor requiring surgery. However, to perform a more accurate surgery, the surgeon told Molder that he would want one other MRI while awake.
The Challenge of Claustrophobia
Molder’s claustrophobia was so severe that he refused to have one other MRI, although his condition was life-threatening. He told his family that there was no way he could do it, demonstrating the numerous impact of his phobia on his ability to receive vital medical care.
How Virtual Reality Helps Claustrophobic Patients
When psychologist Justin Weeks, PhD, learned of Molder’s situation, he visited his hospital room to debate their recent program for treating MRI claustrophobia. The Be Calmed for Medical Care program uses virtual reality to assist patients overcome their claustrophobia in as little as one or two sessions. The sessions are typically 45-to-60 minutes long and start by teaching patients stress management skills to arrange for the exposure work.
The VR Simulation Process
The primary component of the therapy is a virtual reality simulation that recreates being in an MRI scanner. Patients may be within the simulation for as much as half-hour, which is the length of an actual MRI scan. The process involves:
- First: Patients start off within the MRI suite, taking a look at the scanner and moving throughout the room to get acclimated.
- Second: They progress to virtually lying down within the scanner because the bed retracts into the magnet tunnel. With the VR helmet on, they see all the things as in the event that they’re in an actual MRI scanner.
- Third: A sensible audio component plays actual MRI sounds, creating a very immersive experience that’s the important thing component of the exposure therapy.
Success Stories and Availability
Nebraska Medicine’s VR MRI simulations were developed together with Reimagine Well, a California-based company. The first patient accomplished the Be Calmed for Medical Care program in 2022, and to date, 13 patients have accomplished this system, all of whom have subsequently been in a position to undergo an MRI without issues. Many report feeling rather more comfortable and now not needing sedation. If you’ve an upcoming MRI and are fascinated about the Be Calmed for Medical Care program, you may contact the Psychology Clinic directly at 402.559.5031 for priority scheduling.
Will VR Exposure Therapy Work for You?
Dr. Weeks notes that some patients have been so afraid of MRIs that they might somewhat not have the procedure, even when it’s vital to avoid wasting their life. However, after just two sessions of exposure therapy with VR, they have been in a position to have an MRI without sedation. This treatment is literally saving lives. Molder, after two sessions with Dr. Weeks, was relaxed enough to go to sleep in the course of the MRI simulation, and when it was time for his real MRI, he was in a position to not sleep through your entire procedure without panicking.
Long-Term Effects of Exposure Therapy
Nearly three years after Molder’s brain surgery, post-operative radiation, and chemotherapy treatments, the remaining tumor appears to be dead or dormant. The brain mapping was perfect, allowing his surgeon to see the brain pathways and know what parts of the tumor could possibly be removed. Today, Molder resides a very normal life, with no signs of getting had cancer or surgery besides the scar on his head. He has returned to Nebraska Medicine for follow-up MRIs every three months, often falling asleep during them. The therapy has also improved his claustrophobia in other situations, corresponding to crowded areas.
Conclusion
The Be Calmed for Medical Care program at Nebraska Medicine offers a revolutionary approach to treating MRI claustrophobia using virtual reality. With its ability to assist patients overcome their fears in as little as one or two sessions, it is a game-changer for many who have avoided vital medical care because of their phobia. The effects of this exposure therapy are stable and long-lasting, improving not only the power to undergo MRIs but additionally reducing claustrophobia in on a regular basis situations. If you or someone is facing an identical challenge, this program could possibly be the important thing to receiving the medical care needed without the hindrance of claustrophobia.
