WHY SIMULATE SUCH AN ENVIRONMENT IN VR?
The UM Hospital Department of Psychiatry (DoP) would like to investigate
the feasibility of using virtual reality models to treat acrophobes. Eventually,
they plan to conduct a study which compares patients' physiological (e.g.,
heart rate) and psychological (e.g., assessment of fear) reactions to the
real and virtual environments.
The results of such a study would contribute to the knowledge of acrophobia
in general. In addition, if the virtual environment could be used in graduated
exposure treatments, the following benefits could be realized:
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Time/Convenience. The virtual reality equipment could be stored
on site at the Department of Psychiatry, eliminating need to travel to
the East Elevator location. Normal elevator passengers would not be disturbed
by acrophobes undergoing graduated exposure treatment.
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Confidentiality. Because patients could receive therapy while in
the office, they would not have to sacrifice confidentiality as when using
the public East Elevator.
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Control of the Environment. The doctor can easily control the virtual
environment; however, the actual environment is subject to unexpected situations
(e.g., imagine an elevator malfunction!). This control of the environment
can also be helpful in investigating which perceptual cues are most influential
to the fear. Cues could be added/subtracted from the environment methodologically
while acrophobes physiological responses are monitored.
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Less intimidating. Patients may be more willing to try the virtual
environment because they know they are safely planted on the ground.
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