BRAVEMIND: Advancing the Virtual Iraq/Afghanistan PTSD Exposure Therapy for MST

Abstract : PTSD can result from exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury or sexual violation. Military Sexual Trauma (MST) has been recognized as a significant risk factor for the development of PTSD. This has become an issue of grave concern within the military, as reports of sexual violations and assaults have been on the rise over the last ten years, and have garnered significant popular media attention. The current project proposes to develop content for inclusion in the BRAVEMIND virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) system that will provide new customizable options for persons who have experienced MST and to run a pilot RCT with a sample of 34 persons diagnosed with PTSD due to MST. The effort in the first year focused on two major tasks: 1) Complete VRET System Development for use in an upcoming pilot RCT that will test the efficacy of this form of treatment for PTSD due to MST (DONE). And, 2)Deliver the system to Emory University and support installation for conduct of the RCT that would commence in the first year and carry on to the second year. Thus far, the system was built and delivered and the RCT has commenced.