philip lelyveld The world of entertainment technology

14Feb/18Off

App combines virtual reality with personalized psychotherapy

fea-VR-psychotherapy-appHere’s how the app works:

  • Patients use their smartphones to access the app. They can see and hear the therapist, but can also look around the therapist’s room, which was filmed using a virtual reality camera.
  • During a session, the therapist might assign the patient a task, such as completing a questionnaire about anxiety levels.
  • The patient completes the in-app questionnaire. The answers dictate which video of the therapist plays next.
    Later, the therapist might suggest a mindfulness exercise in which the patient is asked to imagine being in a relaxing environment, such as a beach.
  • The patient is then shown environmental photographs and asked to select a preference. Earlier in the module, the patient was able to identify personal preferences for calming music.
  • The app’s algorithms then serve up the patient’s preferred 3D environment (a beach, complete with the sound of waves) and accompanying music. Meanwhile, the virtual therapist talks the patient through the mindfulness exercise.
    The next time the patient uses the app for an on-demand therapy session, the previous answers along with visual and aural preferences will be taken into account.

Evidence-based psychotherapeutic practices? Check.

Aesthetically pleasing and immersive video and music? Check.

Built-in algorithms that deliver personalized content based on your needs and preferences? Check.

See the full story here: http://www.rochester.edu/newscenter/intersections-app-combines-virtual-reality-personalized-psychotherapy-cognitive-behavioral-therapy-296922/

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