World Sleep 2022 | Virtual reality for insomnia in adolescents

Massimiliano de Zambotti, PhD, SRI International, Menlo Park, CA, speaks on an exciting new approach using virtual reality to address insomnia in adolescents. Hyperarousal of the autonomic nervous system is associated with anxiety or rumination, often cited as the primary barrier to sleep in insomniac patients. Immersion in a virtual environment devoid of cognitive intrusion coupled with regulation of the autonomic nervous system using paced breathing techniques is showing promise in downregulating pathophysiological hyperactivity. Preliminary studies are focused on evaluating the effects of this therapy in adolescents, a notoriously difficult population to engage. This interview was recorded at the World Sleep Congress 2022 in Rome, Italy.