How virtual reality can help smokers quit

Offers virtual reality new ways out of addiction?

Germany still likes to smoke. Over 25 percent of the population hang on the glowing stalk. According to studies, Germany has smoked in the top 10 of the countries with the highest smoking figures per capita. Common withdrawal methods do not seem to be effective despite a slight decline. A German research team is now breaking new ground and developing smoking cessation with the help of virtual reality.

Researchers at the University of Siegen have programmed a virtual reality application designed to help users defeat their nicotine addiction. The team wants to address a strong emotional level in virtual reality that gives the user more power not to catch a cigarette. In addition, the application takes users to another world, where they can move away from addictive factors.

Researchers at the University of Siegen are currently developing a virtual reality application to help smokers quit. (Image: Syda Productions / fotolia.com)

Smoking - still a popular addiction

Still over 25 percent of the population smoke in Germany. Tobacco use is by far more popular than any other drug. Thanks to its popularity, tobacco is also the most dangerous drug at the same time. One in ten deaths worldwide is caused by smoking, a study in the journal "The Lancet" in 2017 showed. Germany is even above the average. With the new Virtual Reality Prokejkt "ANTARES" smoking should be able to train, how they can resist the handle to the cigarette.

Defeat the urge with virtual training

As the researchers from Siegen report, the application puts the user in an artificial world. Here he is confronted in different places with objects that usually encourage smoking, such as a lighter, an ashtray or even a cigarette. Besides, there are also items that have nothing to do with smoking. The user should now visually reduce all nicotine-related objects and thus give them a lower relevance. Other objects should instead be visually enlarged, explains the project team.

Strengthen the concept of approach avoidance training

"From previous studies, we already know that such training - also known as 'approach avoidance training' - can have a small effect on smoking on the computer," says psychology professor dr. Tim Klucken in a press release. The team wants to increase this effect through virtual reality.

Virtual reality therapy

The user is completely kidnapped into another world using virtual reality glasses. "The emotional level is therefore much more addressed than sitting in front of the classic desktop computer," adds Professor Dr. med. Dr. Björn Niehaves, who is also involved in the project. The potential offered by virtual reality for therapy has not yet been sufficiently researched.

Address a new level

According to the scientists, the impulsive and emotional system of the user can be achieved with Virtual Reality. Conventional nicotine therapies would instead target only the reflexive system. In other words, the exposition of rational arguments is not enough for many people to quit smoking. "In addiction, the impulsive system is much more important than the reflexive one," says Klucken. In many cases, people would suddenly and impulsively use their cigarettes, for example, when they have been struggling or arguing.

As a supplement to conventional therapy

"Our application alone is certainly not a miracle weapon," notes Klucken. However, the researchers hope that a combination of the virtual reality application with known smoking programs leads to better smoking cessation.

Participants wanted

In the next step of the project, the team around Professor Niehaves will test which version is best accepted by the users. Smokers between the ages of 18 and 65, who have been smoking for at least six months and consume at least six cigarettes a day, are currently being sought for this. If you are interested in participating, you can contact the University of Siegen.

Those who prefer not to grab the VR glasses, finds in the article "giving up smoking" support. (Vb)