Tailored Immersion: Implementing Personalized Components Into Virtual Reality for Veterans With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Frontiers in Virtual Reality, vol. 2
Abstract
With the application of virtual reality (VR), tailored interventions can be created that mirror the traumatic experiences of veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Visual elements can be mimicked, and auditory and other senses stimulated. In doing so, the degree of immersion can be adjusted to optimize the therapeutic process. Objectively measuring the sensory immersion is key to keep subjects within their personal window of tolerance. Based on this information the therapist can decide manipulate the sensory stimulation embedded in the treatment. The objectives of this article are to explore the different immersive design aspects of VRET that can be modified to influence the experienced presence in veterans with PTSD, and to discuss possible methods of measuring the emotional response facilitated by immersive design aspects and experienced presence. Four design aspects are discussed: system, sensory cues, narrative and challenge. We also report on a user experiment in three veterans that informed on quality and depth of immersion. Believability of the neutral virtual environment was important for maintaining the veterans’ presence within the VR experience. The immersive design aspects that were personalized and supportive in the narrative of the veteran such as music and self-selected images appeared to have a strong influence on recall and reliving of the traumatic events. Finally, in order to increase the therapeutic effect in veterans with PTSD, the highlighted design aspects should be recognized and tailored to maximize immersion in virtual reality exposure therapy.
Authors 8
-
Leiden University · Leiden University Medical Center · Foundation Centrum '45
Affiliation as printed
ARQ Centrum’ 45, Oegstgeest, Netherlands
Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC), Psychiatry, Leiden, Netherlands
ARQ Centrum' 45, Oegstgeest, Netherlands
-
Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research
Affiliation as printed
Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), Soesterberg, Netherlands
-
Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research
Affiliation as printed
Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), Soesterberg, Netherlands
-
Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam · Foundation Centrum '45 · Amsterdam University Medical Centers
Affiliation as printed
ARQ Centrum’ 45, Oegstgeest, Netherlands
Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
ARQ Centrum' 45, Oegstgeest, Netherlands
-
Affiliation as printed
Brain Research and Innovation Centre, Ministry of Defence, Utrecht, Netherlands
-
Utrecht University · University Medical Center Utrecht · Ministry of Defence
Affiliation as printed
Brain Research and Innovation Centre, Ministry of Defence, Utrecht, Netherlands
Department of Psychiatry, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht, Netherlands
-
Chelsea Jones Aachen
Leiden University · Department of National Defence · Canadian Armed Forces · Leiden University Medical Center
Affiliation as printed
Canadian Forces Health Services, Department of National Defense, Ottawa, ON, Canada
Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC), Psychiatry, Leiden, Netherlands
-
Eric H. G. J. M. Vermetten Aachen
Leiden University · Leiden University Medical Center · Ministry of Defence · Foundation Centrum '45
Affiliation as printed
ARQ Centrum’ 45, Oegstgeest, Netherlands
Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC), Psychiatry, Leiden, Netherlands
Military Mental Health Care, Ministry of Defense, Utrecht, Netherlands
ARQ Centrum' 45, Oegstgeest, Netherlands
Cited by 11 stored of 11
11 results
No patents citing this paper on Lens.org (checked 2026-10-11).