Virtual Empathy : The added value of Virtual Reality in Psychotherapy

Nascivera, Nicole; Alfano, Yari Mirko; Annunziato, Tilde; Messina, Martina; Iorio, Vittoria Silviana; Cioffi, Valeria; Sperandeo, Raffaele; Rosato, Margherita; Longobardi, Teresa; Maldonato, Nelson Mauro

doi:10.1109/coginfocom.2018.8639906

Cited by 15 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…The authors do not suggest that VRET will replace the need for trained therapists. The therapist’s clinical skills are the key factor to the effective use and implementation of VR (46). As research advances, people may use evidence-based VR self-help programs to prevent subclinical or mild to moderate anxiety from worsening, prepare for therapy when clinical anxiety is present, and use as an adjunct to therapy to get maximum benefit from every session thus saving patient, clinic, and therapist time.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy to Enhance Treatment of Anxiety Disorders: Identifying Areas of Clinical Adoption and Potential Obstacles

et al. 2019

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Despite strong evidence of effectiveness, exposure therapy is an underutilized treatment for anxiety disorders at a time when effective treatment for anxiety is greatly needed. The significant worldwide prevalence and negative impact of anxiety are documented and highlight the importance of increasing therapist and patient use of effective treatment. Obstacles to the use of exposure therapy are explored and steps to lessen these obstacles are proposed. In particular, virtual reality (VR) technology is discussed as a way to increase the availability of exposure therapy. Incorporating VR in therapy can increase the ease, acceptability, and effectiveness of treatment for anxiety. VR exposure therapy (VRET) permits individualized, gradual, controlled, immersive exposure that is easy for therapists to implement and often more acceptable to patients than in vivo or imaginal exposure. VR is presented as a scalable tool that can augment access to and effectiveness of exposure therapy thus improving treatment of anxiety disorders. VR also has the potential to help with assessment and with therapist training standardization. The authors advocate for providing continuing education in VRET to practicing clinicians and including training in exposure therapy and VRET in training programs. Ongoing development of VR applications for clinical use is encouraged, especially when developed in collaboration with software developers, clinical users, therapists who are experienced in VRET, and researchers.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy to Enhance Treatment of Anxiety Disorders: Identifying Areas of Clinical Adoption and Potential Obstacles

et al. 2019

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“…These kinds of communications can be synchronous, with more subjects communicating in real time (e.g., interactive videoconferencing by Skype, Whatshapp videocalling, telephone), or asynchronous (e.g., e-mail). In general, technologies can increase traditional in-person services (e.g., psychoeducational materials shared online after an in-person therapy session) [6,7] or be used as separate service (e.g., online psychotherapy session).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Satisfaction degree in the using of VideoConferencing Psychotherapy in a sample of Italian psychotherapists during Covid-19 emergency

Cioffi¹,

Cantone

Guerriera

et al. 2020

2020 11th IEEE International Conference on Cognitive Infocommunications (CogInfoCom)

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During the last period of lockdown because of the Covid-19 pandemic influence, a lot of mental health professionals were able to continue working online, assisting their patients from home too. Even if there are still some doubts about videoconferencing psychotherapy (VCP), a lot of studies indicate that VCP can be feasible and clinically effective, in fact the online therapy is becoming increasingly popular, reducing distances even during the current pandemic. The aim of this study is to analyze the degree of satisfaction after using VCP in a sample of psychotherapists freely recruited through the publication on social media of a specially created questionnaire. The collected

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“…Given these advantages and the findings of the current study that VRET is not substantially inferior to IVET for treating PSA, VRET should be considered a valuable treatment option. Clinical skills are a key factor to the effective use and implementation of VRET (Nascivera et al, 2018), so VRET will not eradicate the requirement for trained practitioners. However, its use may have several advantages for practitioners aiming to treat clients with PSA.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Meta-Analysis of the Efficacy of Virtual Reality and In Vivo Exposure Therapy as Psychological Interventions for Public Speaking Anxiety

et al. 2021

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Public speaking anxiety (PSA) is a prevalent condition with disabling occupational, educational, and social consequences. Exposure therapy is a commonly utilized approach for treating PSA. Traditionally, this intervention has been delivered as in vivo exposure therapy (IVET). Limitations inherent to in vivo as a mode of delivery have been identified and studies have increasingly explored the use of Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) as an alternative. Understanding the efficacy of both VRET and IVET as psychological interventions for PSA is important. A systematic search identified 11 studies with 508 participants. Meta-analysis yielded a large significant effect wherein VRET resulted in significant reductions in PSA versus control of −1.39 ( Z = 3.96, p < .001) and a similar large significant effect wherein IVET resulted in significant reductions in PSA versus control of −1.41 ( Z = 7.51, p < .001). Although IVET was marginally superior to VRET, both interventions proved efficacious. Given the advantages of utilizing VRET over IVET future research and clinical practice could explore VRET as a treatment option for PSA.

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Virtual Empathy : The added value of Virtual Reality in Psychotherapy

Cited by 15 publications

References 35 publications

Using Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy to Enhance Treatment of Anxiety Disorders: Identifying Areas of Clinical Adoption and Potential Obstacles

Using Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy to Enhance Treatment of Anxiety Disorders: Identifying Areas of Clinical Adoption and Potential Obstacles

Satisfaction degree in the using of VideoConferencing Psychotherapy in a sample of Italian psychotherapists during Covid-19 emergency

A Meta-Analysis of the Efficacy of Virtual Reality and In Vivo Exposure Therapy as Psychological Interventions for Public Speaking Anxiety

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