Hoarding disorder is a type of psychological disorder where individuals tend to excessively and unnecessarily accumulate items in their homes.
A man with hoarding disorder in his cluttered apartment. (Photo: NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC).
According to a recent study published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research, scientists at Stanford University have discovered the use of virtual reality (VR) technology to assist individuals with hoarding disorder in evaluating their possessions and encouraging them to declutter their homes.
Participants diagnosed with hoarding disorder were equipped with virtual reality headsets and handheld controllers, allowing them to explore a panoramic view of their homes and belongings created using 3D simulated images. They then practiced virtually categorizing and gradually removing items.
Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Carolyn Rodriguez from Stanford University School of Medicine stated that the results are very promising. After 16 weeks of participation in the experience, up to 78% of participants confirmed that the virtual reality therapy helped them feel more comfortable letting go of items, more decisive in eliminating clutter, and motivated to clean up their living spaces in real life.
