Citation

Gröer M, Murphy RM, Bunnell W, Salomon K, Van Eepoel J, Rankin B, White K, Bykowski C. J. Occup. Environ. Med. 2010; 52(6): 595-602.

Affiliation

From the College of Nursing (Dr Groer, Ms Van Eepoel, Mr Rankin) University of South Florida, Tampa, Fla; Department of Psychology (Dr Salomon, Ms White, Ms Bykowski), University of South Florida, Tampa, Fla; and Meggitt's Training Systems, Inc (Mr Murphy, Mr Bunnell), Atlanta, Ga.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/JOM.0b013e3181e129da

PMID

20523239

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:: This research investigated the effects of a critical incident lethal force scenario on a panel of salivary biomarkers, measured at baseline and then at 10 and 30 minutes postscenario, in 141 law enforcement volunteer officers. METHODS:: Officers were randomly assigned to two virtual reality scenarios. One scenario was brief and involved a police officer chasing a suspect on a motorcycle, confronting the suspect who draws a gun and shoots the police officer. The other scenario involved a lengthy chase by the police officer through a workplace of an armed perpetrator ultimately engaging in gunfire with the police officer. Saliva was analyzed for cortisol, secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA), interleukin-6, and alpha-amylase concentrations. RESULTS:: The "workplace" scenario produced the largest responses in biomarkers, with significant rises in cortisol, interleukin-6, alpha-amylase, and secretory immunoglobulin A. These data suggest that virtual reality can produce stress and immune effects. CONCLUSIONS:: This research suggests that virtual reality scenarios produce physiologic stress responses, mimicking occupational stress.

Language: en