SAFE-VR
System for Ameliorating Phobias based on Exposure to Virtual Reality
Acrophobia Experiment
We performed an experiment in which 4 adult patients (1 male, 3 females, aged 21-49, mean age 30.75) have been gradually exposed to different heights in both the real-world and in a virtual environment, while biophysical data (EEG, GSR and HR) have been recorded, together with the Subjective Unit of Distress (SUD) value, representing the current level of fear the patient perceived, on a scale from 0 to 10. Prior to the experiment, the subjects have signed a consent form and filled in both a demographic and a Visual Height Intolerance questionnaire.
According to the results of the latter questionnaire, they have been divided into 3 groups: high level of acrophobia – 1 user (User 1), medium level – 2 users (User 2 and User 3) and low level – 1 user (User 4).
Visual Height Intolerance Questionnaire
- 4 users
User 1 - male, 22 years old, high level of acrophobia
User 2 - female, 21 years old, medium level of acrophobia
User 3 - female, 30 years old, medium level of acrophobia
User 4 - female, 49 years old, low level of acrophobia
The experiment consisted of four stages: baseline, pre-treatment, treatment and post-treatment.
In the baseline phase of the experiment, we recorded physiological data in a resting position at the ground floor.
In the pre-treatment stage, each patient has been in-vivo exposed to different heights (the first, fourth and sixth floors of a building), at various distances from the railing (4m, 2m and 0m) for approximately one minute. After each trial, the subjects reported the perceived level of fear – the Subjective Unit of Distress (SUD).
Electrodes configuration
Openvibe acquisition scenario
Signal display
Alpha, beta and theta powers as colors
User during real-world exposure
User during real-world exposure
Shimmers Multisensory device attached to the user's hand
In the treatment stage, the users have been asked to play the Virtual Reality game.
User during the VR gameplay
User during the VR gameplay
User during the VR gameplay
In the post-treatment phase of the experiment, we repeated the in-vivo exposure to the first, fourth and sixth floors. The reported fear levels have been recorded, together with the corresponding biophysical data