Regulation for Use of Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy in Therapeutic Settings

Assoc Prof Razwana Begum Abdul Rahim asked the Minister for Health (a) whether the Ministry has approved Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) for use in public and private therapeutic settings; (b) how is the use of VRET being regulated and monitored currently; and (c) whether the Ministry intends to evaluate the effectiveness of VRET and, if so, when.

The Senior Minister of State for Health (Dr Janil Puthucheary) (for the Minister for Health): Mr Speaker, Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) is a nascent form of psychological therapy that is not yet approved currently for the treatment of disorders in Singapore. Research is still being conducted to evaluate its effectiveness.