EMDR in virtual reality

The goal of the project is to integrate Virtual Reality (VR) with the bilateral stimulation used in EMDR as a tool to relieve stress. We created a 15 minutes relaxation training program for adults in a virtual, relaxing environment in form of a walk in the woods. The target platform for the tool is HTC Vive, however it can be easily ported to other VR platforms. An integral part of this tool is a set of sensors (e.g. EEG, EMG), which serves as physiological measures to evaluate the effectiveness of such system. What is more, the system integrate visual (passing bird), auditory (surround sound) and tactile signals (vibration of HTC Vive controllers). A pilot treatment programme, incorporating the above mentioned VR system, was carried out. Experimental group consisting of 11 healthy adult volunteers, participated in one session of relaxation training. Before starting baseline features such as subjectively perceived stress, mood, heart rate, GSR and EMG. The registration of physiological indicators is continued during the training session and one minute after its completion. After the session, volunteers were asked to re-fill questionnaires regarding the current stress level and mood. The obtained results were analyzed in terms of variability over time: before, during and after the session. Decrease of analysed parameters after the session is the indicator of stress reduction level. Additionally we aimed to test the role of different combinations of bilateral stimulations in stress reduction (visual, auditory and tactile).

Conference

English

Dorota Kamińska
Sławomir Wiak
Krzysztof Smółka
Grzegorz Zwoliński
Dorota Merecz-Kot

Kamińska, D., Wiak, S., Smółka, K., Zwoliński, G., & Merecz-Kot, D. (2019, June).  EMDR in virtual reality. Poster presented at the 20th EMDR Europe Association Conference, Krakow, Poland.  doi:10.13140/RG.2.2.26495.25760