The Army is using virtual reality headsets and other VR devices to train its personnel for combat operations. These devices can create the illusion of a jungle, icy hill, or other situations that soldiers may encounter in the real world. It is also used to treat PTSD in soldiers. The Army says that VR training improves mental health and helps soldiers better understand their role in the military. However, there is still some debate over the effectiveness of VR for military use.
PTSD treatment with virtual reality
The Department of Defense recently donated $3 million to the RESTORES clinic, which plans to develop and roll out the VR system commercially by 2021. The program will also include software that allows clinicians to create VR scenes for non-military patients. The results of trials so far indicate that 66 percent of combat veterans and 73 percent of first responders do not meet the clinical definition of PTSD after completing treatment.
One of the leading causes of PTSD in veterans is military sexual assault. A recent study in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry indicates that about 17 percent of these veterans may have combat-related PTSD. Exposure-based therapy for PTSD is a promising form of treatment for veterans. VR technology can help these soldiers cope with the trauma of combat. This type of therapy can help them cope with their PTSD symptoms by exposing them to a virtual world.
VR training for combat operations
The US Army is working on developing VR training technologies that will help infantry warfighters better perform their tasks. Traditionally, mission rehearsals have required physically building large shooting ranges and creating realistic targets and weather conditions. But with VR training, these costs can be eliminated. The technology can also help military personnel better understand how specific weapons and equipment will perform. As a result, it could help the military save money on training and prevents wear and tear on training equipment.
For example, soldiers may need to relive traumatic events in a safe environment in order to help them overcome PTSD. The use of VR training can help them overcome traumatic memories. Additionally, soldiers can use VR applications to help them overcome fears and cope with their PTSD. This is an important use for VR in the military. If soldiers are trained to relive these traumatic experiences using VR, they will be better equipped to face the challenges of the real world.
VR training for post-traumatic stress disorder
While the concept of Virtual Reality in Military has been around for decades, the use of VR for military PTSD is relatively new. But there is evidence that repeated exposure to VR can reduce the physical effects of stress, including cortisol levels, heart rate, and biological indicators of panic. The use of VR for military PTSD has shown promising results in both treatment resistant PTSD and new recruits. With simulated environments that allow soldiers to experience combat, soldiers can learn to cope with the stress of combat while also experiencing the benefits of being able to deal with real-life challenges.
The VR-GET treatment teaches soldiers how to manage post-traumatic stress disorder by restoring their attentional control. During exposure to combat-related stimuli, patients learn how to control intrusive thoughts and practice progressive relaxation techniques. In one case study, the treatment reduced patients’ PTSD scores by more than 20%. It also taught participants how to cope with unpleasant stimuli. These techniques have helped thousands of service members overcome the physical and psychological effects of PTSD.
Equipment used for VR training
Using VR in the military has a variety of benefits. It can speed up training, reduce human error, and allow multiple trainees to use the technology at the same time. This training method is particularly helpful for aircraft engineers. In the US, the government spends about Rs800 billion on aircraft maintenance every year. The Sukhoi aircraft requires five hours of maintenance every hour, so operators must receive extensive training on the aircraft’s maintenance procedures. VR solutions are able to give trainees a 360-degree view of an aircraft, allowing them to spot faults faster. Many of these solutions incorporate artificial intelligence and randomized scenarios, which are useful for educating personnel on the complex equipment used by aircraft.
The technology can help soldiers and pilots to experience combat without embarking on an airplane in the real world. In addition to enhancing training, VR can allow sailors to experience the challenges of ocean operations without having to risk their lives in real life. This technology can also save billions of dollars in the military sector by reducing the risk of serious injury or death during training. And the military sector is facing some major changes as we transition from an industrial to a digital age. As our technological capabilities advance, military personnel will need to adapt to these new challenges. VR training can help them to adapt to these changes and to learn how to use new technology in new and better ways.
