VRETCreator: A Tool for Creation of VR Experiences used for Exposure Therapy of Phobia and Anxiety

Abstract

Roughly 20-25% of the population experience an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives, with the majority experiencing either specific or social phobias. Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) has been used clinically for approximately two decades, and has shown promising results in various studies for treating certain anxiety disorders, phobias, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

This project aims to simplify the process for therapists to create personalized Virtual Reality (VR) exposure sessions for their patients by eliminating the requirement for expertise in VR development. Our application allows users to create personalized VR scenarios by incorporating personal 360° images or videos, adding models, that can represent the trigger for anxiety or phobia, with or without animations, and adding sound and scenery objects to the scene. Users can also save and load scenes, enabling efficiency, collaboration and reusability.

The application was evaluated over three iterations by eighteen individual participants, including ten healthcare professionals, most of which are therapists, and eight participants with a technical background. The aim of the evaluation was to give insight into the usability, utility and simplicity of the application. Feedback indicated the application was both effective and easy to use. Designed with a simple interface, the application aims to ensure that users can focus on scene creation rather than technical details. It also includes safety measures to ensure a safe and controlled environment.

The positive feedback highlighted the tool’s effectiveness and user-friendly design, suggesting its potential as a valuable asset in therapeutic settings for anxiety and specific phobias. However, ongoing refinement is essential to enhance functionality and user experience. While not yet tested with patients who struggle with anxiety or phobias, future research should involve direct patient engagement to gather their perspectives and experiences. By addressing user feedback and incorporating advancements in VR technology, the tool can have the potential to significantly impact exposure therapy of specific phobia and anxiety, contributing to the paradigm shift towards integrating immersive VR technologies into therapeutic practices.