Office of Naval Research funding PTSD study for 20 veterans?

Virtual reality helps treat PTSD in soldiers "Veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) could gain some relief from a new virtual-reality program, new research suggests." according to a "new" story on FOX. The problem is, it isn't new.

New claims say they changed it.

"Now, the researchers have developed a new virtual-reality program, called "Bravemind," which was created using feedback from the first version and includes an expanded set of features.Tests of this early version have been positive, Rizzo said. A study funded by the Office of Naval Research used a standard exposure-therapy approach, and involved 20 military members (19 men and 1 woman) who had spent an average of eight years in active service. Over the course of the study, 16 participants showed improvement in their PTSD symptoms, while four participants did not."

I walked through one of these a few years ago in Orlando at a convention. It is realistic and fascinating to view but veterans say that it is like telling their stories over and over again leaving them with no closure, no peace. This study is so tiny, it should not make headline news. As for funding, Naval Research should actually be taking a look at data collected over the last 40 years to figure out what actually worked for veterans.

Maybe this would work better if coupled with the other parts of the veteran to help them heal? Maybe the timing is a factor and needs to be done sooner than later?

While claims have been made for years about "helping veterans" the outcome is questionable.