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Tailored Immersion: Implementing Personalized Components Into Virtual Reality for Veterans With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 September 2022

N. Van Veelen ,
R. Boonekamp ,
T. Schoonderwoerd ,
M. Emmerik ,
M. Nijdam ,
B. Bruinsma ,
E. Geuze ,
C. Jones  and
E. Vermetten
N. Van Veelen*
Affiliation:
Leiden University Medical Center, Psychiatry, LEIDEN, Netherlands ARQ, Centrum ’45, Oegstgeest, Netherlands
R. Boonekamp
Affiliation:
Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research, Soesterberg, Soesterberg, Netherlands
T. Schoonderwoerd
Affiliation:
Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research, Soesterberg, Soesterberg, Netherlands
M. Emmerik
Affiliation:
Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research, Soesterberg, Soesterberg, Netherlands
M. Nijdam
Affiliation:
ARQ, Centrum ’45, Oegstgeest, Netherlands Amsterdam University Medical Center, Psychiatry, Amsterdam, Netherlands
B. Bruinsma
Affiliation:
Ministry of Defence, Brain Research And Innovation Centre, Utrecht, Netherlands
E. Geuze
Affiliation:
UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Department Of Psychiatry, Utrecht, Netherlands
C. Jones
Affiliation:
Leiden University Medical Center, Psychiatry, LEIDEN, Netherlands Canadian Forces Health Services, Department Of National Defense, Ottowa, Canada
E. Vermetten
Affiliation:
Leiden University Medical Center, Psychiatry, LEIDEN, Netherlands ARQ, Centrum ’45, Oegstgeest, Netherlands Ministry of Defense, Military Mental Health Care, Utrecht, Netherlands
*
*Corresponding author.

Abstract

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Introduction

With the application of virtual reality (VR), tailored interventions can be created that mirror the traumatic experiences of veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Visual elements can be mimicked, and auditory and other senses stimulated. In doing so, the degree of immersion can be adjusted to optimize the therapeutic process. Objectively measuring the sensory immersion is key to keep subjects within their personal window of tolerance. Based on this information the therapist can decide manipulate the sensory stimulation embedded in the treatment.

Objectives

The objectives of this study are to explore the different immersive design aspects of VRET that can be modified to influence the experienced presence in veterans with PTSD, and to discuss possible methods of measuring the emotional response facilitated by immersive design aspects and experienced presence.

Methods

Four design aspects are discussed: system, sensory cues, narrative and challenge. We also report on a user experiment in three veterans that informed on quality and depth of immersion.

Results

Believability of the neutral virtual environment was important for maintaining the veterans’ presence within the VR experience. The immersive design aspects that were personalized and supportive in the narrative of the veteran such as music and self-selected images appeared to have a strong influence on recall and reliving of the traumatic events.

Conclusions

Finally, in order to increase the therapeutic effect in veterans with PTSD, the highlighted design aspects should be recognized and tailored to maximize immersion in virtual reality exposure therapy.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

Keywords

virtual realityimmersionVeteranstailored therapy
Type
Abstract
Information
European Psychiatry , Volume 65 , Special Issue S1: Abstracts of the 30th European Congress of Psychiatry , June 2022 , pp. S675
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BY
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the European Psychiatric Association
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