A usability assessment on a virtual reality system for panic disorder treatment

Jaelin Lee; Takashi Kawai; Nahoko Yoshida; Shuhei Izawa; Shinobu Nomura; Douglas Eames; Hisanobu Kaiya

doi:10.1117/12.766461

8 February 2008 A usability assessment on a virtual reality system for panic disorder treatment

Jaelin Lee, Takashi Kawai, Nahoko Yoshida, Shuhei Izawa, Shinobu Nomura, Douglas Eames, Hisanobu Kaiya

Proceedings Volume 6804, The Engineering Reality of Virtual Reality 2008; 680403 (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.766461
Event: Electronic Imaging, 2008, San Jose, California, United States

Abstract

The authors have developed a virtual reality exposure system that reflects the Japanese culture and environment. Concretely, the system focuses on the subway environment, which is the environment most patients receiving treatment for panic disorder at hospitals in Tokyo, Japan tend to avoid. The system is PC based and features realistic video images and highly interactive functionality. In particular, the system enables instant transformation of the virtual space and allows situations to be freely customized according to the condition and symptoms expressed by each patient. Positive results achieved in therapy assessments aimed at patients with panic disorder accompanying agoraphobia indicate the possibility of indoor treatment. Full utilization of the functionality available requires that the interactive functions be easily operable. Accordingly, there appears to be a need for usability testing aimed at determining whether or not a therapist can operate the system naturally while focusing fully on treatment. In this paper, the configuration of the virtual reality exposure system focusing on the subway environment is outlined. Further, the results of usability tests aimed at assessing how naturally it can be operated while focusing fully on treatment are described.

Citation Download Citation

Jaelin Lee, Takashi Kawai, Nahoko Yoshida, Shuhei Izawa, Shinobu Nomura, Douglas Eames, and Hisanobu Kaiya "A usability assessment on a virtual reality system for panic disorder treatment", Proc. SPIE 6804, The Engineering Reality of Virtual Reality 2008, 680403 (8 February 2008); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.766461

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