ABSTRACT

Recent years have seen a growing research interest towards designing computer-assisted health interventions aiming to improve mental health services. Digital technologies are becoming common methods for diagnosis, therapy, and training. With the advent of lower-cost VR head-mounted-displays (HMDs) and high internet data transfer capacity, there is a new opportunity for applying immersive VR tools to augment existing interventions. This study is among the first to explore the use of a Multi-User Virtual Reality (MUVR) system as a therapeutic medium for participants at high-risk for developing Eating Disorders. This paper demonstrates the positive effect of using MUVR remote psychotherapy to enhance traditional therapeutic practices. The study capitalises on the opportunities which are offered by a MUVR remote psychotherapeutic session to enhance the outcome of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Play Therapy and Exposure Therapy for sufferers with body shape and weight concerns. Moreover, the study presents the design opportunities and challenges of such technology, while strengths on the feasibility, and the positive user acceptability of introducing MUVR to facilitate remote psychotherapy. Finally, the appeal of using VR for remote psychotherapy and its observed positive impact on both therapists and participants is discussed.

摘要

近年来，人们对设计旨在改善心理健康服务的计算机辅助健康干预措施的研究兴趣日益浓厚。数字技术正在成为诊断、治疗和培训的常用方法。随着低成本 VR 头戴式显示器 (HMD) 和高互联网数据传输容量的出现，应用沉浸式 VR 工具来增强现有干预措施有了新的机会。这项研究是最早探索使用多用户虚拟现实 (MUVR) 系统作为饮食失调高风险参与者的治疗媒介的研究之一。本文展示了使用 MUVR 远程心理治疗来增强传统治疗实践的积极作用。该研究利用 MUVR 远程心理治疗会议提供的机会来提高接受和承诺疗法、游戏疗法和暴露疗法对有体型和体重问题的患者的效果。此外，该研究展示了这种技术的设计机遇和挑战，同时强调了引入 MUVR 以促进远程心理治疗的可行性和积极的用户接受度。最后，讨论了使用 VR 进行远程心理治疗的吸引力及其对治疗师和参与者的积极影响。同时强调可行性，以及引入 MUVR 以促进远程心理治疗的积极用户接受度。最后，讨论了使用 VR 进行远程心理治疗的吸引力及其对治疗师和参与者的积极影响。同时强调可行性，以及引入 MUVR 以促进远程心理治疗的积极用户接受度。最后，讨论了使用 VR 进行远程心理治疗的吸引力及其对治疗师和参与者的积极影响。