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Can new technologies be therapeutic tools?

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п»їNew technologies have changed our way of life, habits and customs. Now we are not able to leave home without our smartphone and we constantly check our e-mail and social networks. New technologies are here to stay, not least because we are already building parts of our lives around these tools.
There are many nostalgic people who disown this new form of communication and what it implies. However, there is one thing that is undeniable: our quality of life, with them, can be - not necessarily is - much better. In the field of psychology, new technologies are increasingly used as a therapeutic tool because there are several important advantages to be derived from their use.
Sometimes they are used because they reduce costs, because they make it possible to reconcile therapy with the lives of very busy patients or those who travel constantly, or because with them we can simulate different situations for exposure with great control over their characteristics. In this sense, technological tools within psychology are beginning to be applied to therapy with different disorders, such as phobias, Alzheimer's, anxiety disorders or obsessive-compulsive disorders.
New technologies applied to the treatment of phobiasFrom the perspective of cognitive-behavioral psychology, one of the strategies to "treat" phobias is exposure to the phobic element. But in the case of some phobias, real exposure may be difficult or too dangerous, so new technologies are used. In flying phobia, for example, flight simulators very similar to those used by pilots for practice are used.
Virtual reality can be a useful way to make successive approximations to the feared object or situation. It can be applied to phobias of animals, heights or public speaking. This type of strategy is increasingly used thanks to the fact that technology allows us to immerse ourselves in the virtual world in a more and more realistic way.
Another advantage of its use is the possibility of continuing the therapy at home, although it is clear that technology cannot replace a therapist, it can send "tasks" that can be done from home. It is a resource that can be economical in terms of time and sometimes money, such as simulating a flight. It is not the only tool used to cope with phobias, but it can be a good complement.
Cognitive stimulation by computerCognitive stimulation is a type of intervention that aims to exercise cognitive functions. It can be used to reinforce or improve those functions that may be affected by some pathology. It is usually used in dementias, with memory, language or cognitive functions being the functions that are most often worked on.
Many cognitive stimulation programs have been developed with the use of tablets and computers. In the beginning, dementias were the main target, but today it is used in other pathologies such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, stroke or head injuries. These types of programs are very versatile and allow for the customization of tasks at a reduced cost.
In populations such as our elderly, the use of new technologies is a form of stimulation in itself, as they need to become familiar with their use. There are several scientific studies that support the use of cognitive stimulation with new technologies and they are used in many day centers with positive results.
Future prospectsAs in everything around us, technology promises to be increasingly present in the field of psychological therapies. For example, there are already psychologists offering therapy sessions via Skype or there are already specific applications designed to keep track of our moods. In the market you can find a multitude of applications that promise to contribute to your mental health; in this sense, the important thing, given the growing offer, is to know how to identify which ones can be useful for us.
Not all applications fulfill the initial promise of improving our mental life. It is important that when using this type of tools we look for studies that support what they want to sell us. In any case, an application can never replace a professional: they can be useful as tools or resources, facilitators or enhancers of the effects of a therapy, but they will never be a psychologist.
Finally, the role of technology in the administration of psychometric tests should be highlighted. In this sense, they can greatly speed up the evaluation phase: the advantage of these computerized tests is that they give the results immediately. In this way, the psychologist no longer has to correct the test, but only interpret the results and integrate them with those of other tests or evaluation instruments. Thus, the professional can dedicate this time to make a more accurate assessment.
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