Virtual Reality for Stress Reduction: Usability Insights into Exposure Environments and Relaxation Therapy

• Published in: 2024 IEEE 22nd Student Conference on Research and Development, SCOReD 2024
• Main Author: 2-s2.0-85219512099
• Format: Conference paper
• Language: English
• Published: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc. 2024
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85219512099&doi=10.1109%2fSCOReD64708.2024.10872739&partnerID=40&md5=7fbb1df1eba0c8445580f531d1c85757

Mental health issues can have a negative impact on physical health and well-being, leading to stress, burnout and decreased productivity and quality of life. Traditional therapy's generalized approach may not always work for people who have different preferences and stress triggers. These collective challenges might create barriers to receiving the appropriate treatment for the patient. These challenges emphasize the need for advanced treatment tools for mental illness, such as a virtual reality (VR) application called OasisVR. This application leverages immersive and interactive experiences, incorporating exposure environments and relaxation therapy in its design. The OasisVR has implemented an Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation Model (ADDIE Model) focusing on VR immersive experience. The usability of the application was evaluated by three experts in mental health who are experienced in those fields and knowledgeable about mental health in detail using the Suitability Evaluation Questionnaire (SEQ). The study findings indicate that OasisVR received an average score of 42.33, signifying suitability for stress reduction. Future research aims to address issues about efficacy, privacy, data security, and incentives to use therapy treatment using VR applications. © 2024 IEEE.