Obsessive-compulsive disorders affect 2 to 3% of the French population. A graduated exposure in virtual reality, coupled with cognitive-behavioral therapies, helps to significantly reduce anxiety linked to OCD. More than 1000 patients have already been supported with this approach.
> “Virtual reality displays 80% effectiveness, with benefits maintained more than a year after treatment. » Eric Malbos, Psychiatrist
Exposure to situations that trigger obsessions and compulsions is a recognized component of OCD treatment. However, reproducing these situations in consultation is not always simple.
A hospital service, a room considered dirty or a trip on public transport depend on an external context that is difficult to summon on demand. Their level of dirt, attendance or unforeseen events largely escapes the practitioner's control, which complicates progressive and controlled desensitization.
Virtual reality makes it possible to recreate these environments directly in the office, in a controlled and reproducible setting from one session to the next.
The C2Care environments make it possible to recreate the situations at the origin of obsessions and compulsive rituals, from the hospital ward to the basement room deemed unsanitary.
In a hospital environment, the patient may be faced with a room, an MRI room or a dental office, with the possibility of adding unexpected events. In a basement room, the level of dirt is adjusted according to the patient's anxiety, while public transport makes it possible to modulate attendance.
The practitioner increases the intensity of the exposure over the course of the sessions, in order to work with the patient on catastrophic thoughts and compulsive automatisms associated with these situations.
VRET
The practitioner seats the patient on a swivel chair and fits them with the virtual reality headset
Using the control interface, the practitioner selects the environment suited to the session's goals and starts the exposure.
During immersion, the practitioner supports the patient using a visual feed and can adjust the exposure scene in real time
Environments
C2Care offers several environments to work on OCD-related obsessions.
The patient is exposed to a toilet in a hospital environment.
The dirtiness of the garbage room can be increased gradually.
The patient practices handling and throwing waste in the dedicated scene.
Create a free account to discover all exposure situations and subscribe directly online
Solène Montègue
Neuropsychiatrist
The developments C2Care is currently integrating into the interface are very promising and meet the established therapeutic objectives [...]: offering tailored exercises that can be adapted to levels of dependency, cognitive disorders, and patients' real-time responses.
Samia Lahya
Psychiatrist
With the acquisition of new equipment [...] and updates to the C2Care programs, its use has expanded even further: OCD, phobias, addictions, anxiety disorders, depression, and PTSD. Ten years later, it is no longer merely a curiosity, but a genuine therapeutic tool that is stimulating, innovative, and effective.
Sabrina Gineau
Psychologist
I incorporate this technology into brief therapies lasting two to four months, with one session per week. I begin with relaxation techniques and, when patients are ready, we proceed. It makes it much easier to expose people to these situations.
Noël Schepers
Psychologist
Virtual reality can enrich and personalize treatment, facilitate patient-therapist collaboration in developing the treatment plan, and add a playful dimension. The possibilities for development and application are immense and extend to every area of psychology and psychotherapy.
Mélanie Boucherot
Psychologist
The value of this technology [C2Care] lies in offering new possibilities for therapeutic support and expanding the range of tools available to healthcare professionals.
François Maltese
Psychologist
For several months, we have been using virtual reality in habituation therapies. Before the procedure, patients are progressively and immersively exposed to their future medical environment and psychologically prepared to accept it.
Dre Marie-Claude Roberge
Doctor of Psychology
Since 2022, we have been using virtual reality therapy with the C2Care platform to simulate exposure to aversive stimuli and triggers that cause anxiety. Exposure therapy is used to treat specific phobias, including fear of heights, enclosed spaces, flying, dogs, emetophobia, and many others.
Dr Laure Du Pouget
Urologist
Using a virtual reality headset for self-hypnosis during prostate biopsies creates a calm atmosphere for a procedure that can sometimes be uncomfortable, even with effective local anesthesia...
Delphine Py
Psychologist
Thank you to C2Care for providing innovative virtual reality solutions to support CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy)! A major step forward in making exposure exercises easier and helping our patients overcome their phobias.
Rolvien et al. — Virtual exposure with response prevention in obsessive-compulsive disorder
Virtual Exposure With Response Prevention for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Randomized Controlled Trial
Miegel et al. — Mixed Reality Exposure Therapy for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Exposure Therapy in Mixed Reality for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial
van Loenen et al. — Effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy using virtual reality exposure for severe anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder
The Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Exposure-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Severe Anxiety Disorders, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Meta-analysis
Wittock et al. — Virtual reality in the diagnosis and treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder
[Virtual reality in diagnosis and treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder]
Wiebe et al. — Virtual reality in the diagnosis and therapy of mental disorders
Virtual reality in the diagnostic and therapy for mental disorders: A systematic review
Discover more
Depending on your patients' needs, other areas may also be relevant to explore. Discover the different environments available in C2Care.
Create a free account to discover all exposure situations and subscribe directly online
FAQ
Find the answers to the most asked questions about the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorders in virtual reality.
Virtual reality exposure therapies have existed for more than 30 years for the treatment of anxiety disorders, including OCD. C2Care has been offering its therapeutic solutions since 2015, with remote support from a psychologist.
A virtual environment is an immersive scene reproducing an anxiety-provoking situation, such as a hospital ward or an unsanitary room for contamination OCD. The psychologist modulates his intensity for a graduated exposure adapted to your anxiety.
Virtual reality is used for anxiety disorders (phobias, post-traumatic stress, obsessive-compulsive disorders), addictions, mood disorders, as well as for cognitive remediation. Each treatment is personalized by the practitioner.
Cybersickness (nausea, disorientation) can occur in approximately 10% of virtual reality users. It is generally transient. The psychologist adapts the pace and intensity of the exposure to limit this discomfort.
Therapeutic virtual reality is implemented by trained practitioners: psychologists, psychiatrists, in CHU hospitals, clinics or private practices. For individuals, a psychologist provides remote support using the CBT and the virtual reality exposure.
Patients suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorders, particularly related to contamination, dirt or hospital settings, can benefit from this therapy. OCD affects around 2 to 3% of the French population, or more than a million people.
Cybersickness can occur in approximately 10% of people using a virtual reality headset. The psychologist adapts the exposure to limit this discomfort.
Progressive and controlled exposure, reproducibility of environments and increased patient engagement promote adherence to treatment. More than 1000 practitioners are already equipped with C2Care.
Yes, all our environments are grouped into a single application.
The C2Care technical service can be reached via live chat from the control platform. In the event of a VR headset defect, the equipment is replaced within 48 hours if necessary.
Patients suffering from anxiety disorders, phobias or obsessive-compulsive disorders can benefit from virtual reality exposure therapy, supervised by a psychologist.
To find out the cancellation terms specific to your subscription, contact the C2Care team via customer service.
