Moving forward with 3MDR: new applications of virtual-reality based exposure with motion

Mirjam Mink-Nijdam, Irene Martens, Rick De Haart, Sophie Hengst, Suzette Brémault-Phillips, Eric Vermetten

Number

95

Assigned to session

Abstract

3MDR stands for Multimodal Motion-assisted Memory Desensitization and Reprocessing. In this therapy patients walk during the entire session in a virtual environment, and confront themselves with personalized pictures and music that remind them of their traumatic experiences. So far 3MDR has demonstrated to be effective in three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in veterans with treatment-resistant posttraumatic stress disorder (TR-PTSD; van Gelderen et al., 2020; Bisson et al., 2020) and in veterans with PTSD and mild traumatic brain injury (Roy et al., 2023). This symposium will introduce 3MDR and present research on new applications in various traumatized populations. Rick de Haart will introduce 3MDR and the existing evidence, and present the design of his studies on 3MDR’s motion component. Irene Martens will present new, preliminary data from the largest RCT to date, comparing 3MDR to regular trauma-focused treatments as a first-line treatment in 134 patients with PTSD related to their occupation. Sophie Hengst will present the 3MDR protocol for traumatic grief and share experiences from a case example. Suzette Brémault-Phillips will present data from Canada where she conducted a study on 3MDR in veterans with treatment-resistant PTSD. Mirjam Mink-Nijdam will chair this symposium and Eric Vermetten will discuss the implications.

Authors

Mirjam Mink-Nijdam

Irene Martens

Rick De Haart

Sophie Hengst

Suzette Brémault-Phillips

Eric Vermetten