Using Virtual Reality to Explore Self-Regulation in High-Risk Settings

Abstract

Virtual reality (VR) models allow investigators to explore high-risk situations carefully in the laboratory using physiological assessment strategies and controlled conditions not available in field settings. This article introduces the use of a virtual experience to examine the influence of self-regulatory skills training on female participants' reactions to a high-risk encounter with an aggressive male. Sixty-three female participants were recruited for the study. Demographic data indicated that 54% of the participants were not currently in a relationship, 36.5% were in a committed relationship, and 9.5% were occasionally dating. After obtaining informed consent, participants were assigned randomly to either a diaphragmatic breathing training condition or an attention control condition. Results indicated that both groups rated the virtual environment as equally realistic; the aggressive advances of the male were also perceived as equally real across the two experimental groups. Physiological data indicated that there were no differences between the groups on respiration or cardiovascular measures during baseline or during the VR task. After the VR experience, however, the participants in the breathing training condition had lower respiration rates and higher heart rate variability measures than those in the control condition. The results suggest that VR platforms provide a realistic and challenging environment to examine how self-regulation procedures may influence behavioral outcomes. Real-time dynamic engagement in a virtual setting affords investigators with an opportunity to evaluate the utility of self-regulatory skills training for improving safety in situations where there are uncertain and risky outcomes.

Inclusion of a rest period in diaphragmatic breathing increases high frequency heart rate variability: Implications for behavioral therapy

“…The 4‐2‐4 pattern (inhalation‐exhalation‐rest) increased the length between inhalations associated with increased vagal influence on cardiac activity and greater parasympathetic tone without adverse effects. This is consistent with previous work demonstrating that the current protocol is a reliable method to strengthen HF‐HRV, parasympathetic tone, and improve performance on a variety of in‐lab stressor tasks (Kniffin et al, ; Russell et al, ; Stromberg et al, ). Furthermore, the use of rest periods avoids unnecessary strain on muscles of respiration accompanying breathing protocols advocating prolonged exhalations or potential hyperventilation from protocols advocating prolonged inhalations.…”

“…Inhalation for 3 s and exhalation for 2.5 s yields the same breathing frequency as an inhalation for 2 s and exhalation for 3.5 s. The optimal balance of inhalation and exhalation is the topic of scientific inquiry (Fried & Grimaldi, , p. 129; Lin, Tai, & Fan, ; Strauss‐Blasche et al, ; Van Diest et al, ). Our data suggest that a 4‐2‐4 paced diaphragmatic breathing cycle of inhale‐exhale‐rest, rather than a 5‐5 (inhale‐exhale), maximizes the effects of respiration on HF‐HRV (Kniffin et al, ; Russell et al, ; Stromberg, Russell, & Carlson, ).…”

Immersive Virtual Reality for the Reduction of State Anxiety in Clinical Interview Exams: Prospective Cohort Study

“…These illusions act as virtual environments, allowing people to condition themselves against symptoms of anxiety by undergoing VR exposure therapy (VRET), a form of systematic desensitization that facilitates mental fortification against a feared stimulus [ 1 ]. VRET allows for the training of affective regulation, while people are subjected to situational contexts that induce anxiety [ 1 , 2 ]. VRET can safely provide answers to inaccessible and intangible concepts by observing the responses of people who are subjected to fear- and anxiety-inducing stimuli, which would otherwise be considered too dangerous or unethical to perform in the real world [ 3 ].…”

“…This exposure could be employed to improve the efficacy of psychosocial therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, with VR simulations resembling anxiety-inducing situations [ 3 ]. Kniffin and colleagues reported on diaphragmatic-breathing training for the retention of attentional control to enhance self-regulatory skills, which was tested on female students who were exposed to virtual avatars of aggressive males [ 2 ]. It was concluded that immersive VR was effective for the training of self-regulatory skills in this manner [ 2 ].…”

“…Kniffin and colleagues reported on diaphragmatic-breathing training for the retention of attentional control to enhance self-regulatory skills, which was tested on female students who were exposed to virtual avatars of aggressive males [ 2 ]. It was concluded that immersive VR was effective for the training of self-regulatory skills in this manner [ 2 ].…”