The VR-glasses, which are used for the treatment of panic attacks get price

Twelve patients in Stockholm, sweden have successfully tested the method to treat panic disorder with VR-glasses. The VR treatment has been developed in collaboration between the Film Stockholm, Gustavsberg's health center, Royal Institute of technology and Karolinska Institutet. Now the project has been named innovation of the year by the Region of Stockholm.

the Patients who participated in the project suffered from agoraphobia and panic disorder, among other things, practiced a ride on the subway in rush hour. Together with a therapist, patients are safe and virtual been able to visit both Sergels torg and T-centralen in the run – without having to be there.

– Thanks to VR-glasses, patients can see around in all directions and thus get a strong sense of a real situation, even the sound of the headphone is authentic, " says Erik Hedman-Lagerlöf, associate professor, and one of the initiators behind the effort.

once a week for ten weeks, and the patients were exposed gradually to more sounds, people and stuffed subway cars through the VR-glasses. The result shows that both panikångesten and depressive symptoms decreased, as well as the cost of treatment.

– Even if the VR technology is still in its infancy, and our study was small, we see that VR offers a great opportunity to in a calm, controlled forms work educational, visually and effectively. In the long term, it can contribute to that more patients may be offered high-quality care, " says Erik Hedman-Lagerlöf.

Read more: DN:s reporter tests the VR-glasses against social phobia

Experience in VR: On site at the New Slussen – 2025