Detection and Prevention of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Risk in First Responders by Means of a Virtual Reality Protocol
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54337/aau.icdvrat26.21Abstract
This presentation reports two VR-based studies examining PTSD-related vulnerability in first responders. Study 1 assessed physiological responses in 84 firefighters, showing that probable PTSD was associated with lower baseline heart rate variability, suggesting reduced autonomic flexibility at rest. Study 2 examined decision-making in 368 first responders and found that probable PTSD predicted poorer performance in emergency scenarios. Across studies, VR distinguished physiological and behavioral markers of vulnerability in ecologically relevant contexts. The findings support VR as a promising tool for PTSD detection and prevention.
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