Scientists from Stanford University of Medicine have found a way to help people with pathological hoarding problems. Giving up unnecessary items in virtual reality motivated patients to clean their homes. The results of the study were as follows: published on PubMed.
Pathological hoarding (Plyushkin syndrome, dysposophobia, etc.) is a type of obsessive behavior that involves collecting unused things, most often furniture and clothing. This disorder is characterized by a persistent reluctance to throw away or part with an item. The house becomes so complex that it becomes very difficult to use the living spaces for their intended purpose.
In the study, researchers asked nine participants over the age of 55 who were diagnosed with hoarding disorder to take photos and videos of the messiest rooms in their homes. With the help of VR technologies, photos and videos were transformed into 3D virtual spaces. Participants moved around their rooms and moved items using VR glasses and hand controllers. All subjects also underwent several sessions of group psychotherapy.
Seven of nine participants experienced a 25% reduction in hoarding symptoms. Eight out of nine people tried to clean their homes by throwing away some unnecessary things. Many of the subjects also noted that getting rid of trash in virtual reality helped them part with their property in real life.
Advanced virtual reality, where objects closely match real-world objects, could improve the effectiveness of pathological hoarding treatment, the study authors added.
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