Virtual Reality Human–Human Interface to Deliver Psychotherapy to People Experiencing Auditory Verbal Hallucinations: Development and Usability Study

Abstract

Background Digital technologies have expanded the options for delivering psychotherapy, permitting for example, the treatment of schizophrenia using Avatar Therapy. Despite its considerable potential, this treatment method has not been widely disseminated. As a result, its operability and functionality remain largely unknown. Objective We aimed to study the usability of a therapeutic virtual reality human–human interface, created in a game engine. Methods Participants were psychiatric hospital staff who were introduced to the therapeutic platform in a hands-on session. The System Usability Scale (SUS) was employed for evaluation purposes. Statistical evaluation was conducted using descriptive statistics, the chi-square test, analysis of variance, and multilevel factor analysis. Results In total, 109 staff members were introduced to the therapeutic tool and completed the SUS. The mean SUS global score was 81.49 (SD 11.1). Psychotherapists (mean 86.44, SD 8.79) scored significantly higher (F2,106=6.136; P=.003) than nursing staff (mean 79.01, SD 13.30) and administrative personnel (mean 77.98, SD 10.72). A multilevel factor analysis demonstrates a different factor structure for each profession. Conclusions In all professional groups in this study, the usability of a digital psychotherapeutic tool developed using a game engine achieved the benchmark for an excellent system, scoring highest among the professional target group (psychotherapists). The usability of the system seems, to some extent, to be dependent on the professional background of the user. It is possible to create and customize novel psychotherapeutic approaches with gaming technologies and platforms. Trial Registration Clinicaltrials.gov NCT04099940; http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04099940

Human-Computer Interaction in Digital Mental Health

“…Commercially available VR games were used to demonstrate the potential of effectively decreased state anxiety and increased positive emotions in users-the pilot study reinforced adoption of the emotional design conceptual framework that is widely adopted in designing appealing immersive solutions [132]. VR is marked by preliminary evidence; it can be used for improving some symptoms of psychosis in those with schizophrenia [133], with a clinical trial finding excellent usability of a therapeutic VR human-human interface [134]. But VR is mostly noted for use in a CBT intervention for depressive and anxiety disorders-there is a good potential to generally expand immersive intervention for psychological symptoms (e.g., exposure therapy) [128].…”

Co-design of a Virtual Reality Cognitive Remediation Program for Depression (bWell-D) With Patient End Users and Clinicians: Qualitative Interview Study Among Patients and Clinicians

“…Immersive virtual reality (VR) has attributes which could enhance the delivery of cognitive remediation and has preliminary evidence for efficacy in other neurological and psychiatric disorders [ 34 ]. The immersive and interactive nature of VR facilitates greater user engagement and enjoyment compared with computer presented tasks [ 35 , 36 ]. VR also allows for the practice of skills in naturalistic settings, thereby improving the likelihood of skill transfer to the real world [ 37 - 39 ].…”