SUMMARY :
Following a study with brain PET on 11 heterosexual patients affected by psychogenous
impotence, of whom 7 randomly-selected ones had received a cycle of psychotherapy
combined with Virtual Reality using the Optale Method, we looked for a link
between the identified brain areas, and found anatomical evidence which made
us hypothesize the existence of a Male Sexual Brain Algorithm linked to the
effectiveness of the sexual performance. Moreover we searched for a way to explain
how psychotherapy combined with Virtual Reality could act on the brain, superimposing
"new" experiences over old ones in a sort of "reality monitoring"
which favours coherent connection patterns. The method involved the use of virtual
reality equipment and specially designed CD-ROM programmes. Psychotherapy with
VR seems to hasten the healing process and reduce drop-outs, suggesting that
this method opens or consolidates new or rarely used brain pathways, facilitating
the flow of new mnemonic associations that promote the satisfaction of natural
drives.
In treating male sexual dysfunctions (such as psychogenic or mix erectile dysfunction
or premature ejaculation), we utilised a psychodynamic approach to psychotherapy
with full immersion Virtual Reality (VR).