A desensitization program using a driving simulator to treat post-traumatic stress disorder following a motor vehicle collision - a case-study in progress

Sep 19, 2026

A case-study in progress presents a therapeutic desensitization program using a driving simulator to treat post-traumatic stress disorder following a motor vehicle collision. The document frames PTSD prevalence and risk factors, then details a patient (Mr. EF, diagnosed in 2010) whose anxiety and fear persist, especially at night and in scenarios similar to the crash, despite prior therapist-guided attempts. It defines objectives to reduce anxiety and stress via progressive simulator-based exposures and tests a hypothesis involving cognitive reframing, driving-specific feedback, and practice in a controlled environment.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages18

Reading Time45 min

AccessFree to download

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Prevalence and risk factors

Common treatments

Virtual Reality and PTSD

Case study: Mr. EF

What has been done?

Consequences and medications

Abitibi to Montreal

Objectives and Hypothesis

Objectives

Hypothesis

A desensitization program using a driving simulator to treat post-traumatic stress disorder following a motor vehicle collision: a case-study in progress. Martin Lavallière, Ph.D. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, AgeLab, Cambridge, MA, USA Sylvie Joly, M.Ps. St-Jérôme, QC, Canada Pierro Hirsch, Ph.D. Virage Simulation Inc., Montréal, QC, Canada Acknowledgements • Sylvie Joly, Psychologist • Pierro Hirsch, Virage Simulations • SAAQ • CAA-Québec – Yvon Lapointe – Hamid Rekouane Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) • Prevalence – Crash / Collision survivors, military • Risk factors – Events, consequences,… • What are the common treatment for PTSD? – Desensitization – Associated health issues VIRTUAL REALITY AND PTSD Case study • Mr. EF (55y.o.) who was diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in 2010 after he was involved in a motor vehicle collision (MVC) . – Driving at night on a two-lane undivided highway – Truck in the oncoming lane, driven by a drowsy driver, drifted across the center line – In order to avoid a head-on collision, Mr. EF steered his car abruptly into a ditch where it overturned. What has been done? • After the crash: – Mr. EF expressed severe anxiety and fear related to being hit by other vehicles. – Even as a passenger, he manifested anxiety and these symptoms were more present and severe at night in situations similar to the MVC he experienced. – Mr. EF is highly motivated to resume his normal life by driving again. • However, despite multiple attempts under the guidance of therapists, Mr. EF remains afflicted by debilitating anxiety and fear and has not been able to drive since then. • N.B. I don’t want to critic what has been done before but only reffered to it to give you a proper presentation of the case. Consequences • Medications – Ativan, Citalopram, Celexa, Séroquel… • PTSD – March 29, 2010 • Driving – Stop driving – Experience as a passenger Abitibi to Montreal • Highly motivated to resume independant driving • Contacted Virage Simulation • CAA-Québec • SAAQ Objectives • Evaluate the impact of a therapeutic treatment consisting of progressive exposures to simulatorbased driver training scenarios to reduce levels of anxiety and stress while he executes normal driving behaviours. Hypothesis • By having access to cognitive refraiming program, driving specific feedback and a practice environment, Mr. EF will be able to: • Visualized his own driving behaviors • Put in place appropriate responses – Driving behaviors » Lavallière et al. 2012a » Romoser et Fisher, 2009 – Psychological and physiological responses » Bouchard et al. 2012 » Lavallière et al. 2012b

FAQs

Why is desensitization considered for PTSD in this case?

The document lists desensitization as a common treatment approach for PTSD and uses it to reduce anxiety and stress through progressive exposure to simulator-based driving scenarios.

What experiences and symptoms define the patient’s PTSD after the collision?

After the motor vehicle collision, the patient shows severe anxiety and fear related to being hit by other vehicles, with symptoms more severe at night even when driving as a passenger.

What therapeutic approach does the program plan to evaluate?

It evaluates progressive exposures to simulator-based driver training scenarios, supported by cognitive reframing, driving-specific feedback, and a practice environment to improve appropriate responses and reduce distress.

Sep 19, 2026

Upload by Emma Wilson