Virtual Reality in Art Therapy: A Pilot Qualitative Study of the Novel Medium and Implications for Practice

Kaimal, Girija; Carroll-Haskins, Katrina; Berberian, Marygrace; Dougherty, Abby Elizabeth; Carlton, Natalie; Ramakrishnan, Arun

doi:10.1080/07421656.2019.1659662

Cited by 43 publications

(57 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…Overall, the participants described a sense of increased confidence in using the virtual tools to create imagery during the second session. In previous studies, we have participants reporting references on self-reflection (Hacmun et al, 2018;Kaimal et al, 2019) and unique perspectives, which was further confirmed in the creative expressive tasks in this study.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 85%

“…In previous studies, we have often found that the participants often referenced fears and inhibitions around a self-perceived lack of artistic skills (Kaimal and Ray, 2016;Kaimal et al, 2017). This was not seen much in our studies (Kaimal et al, 2019), including the current, perhaps because VR is not typically associated with artistic expression. This might offer an opportunity for involving participants in creative self-expression without the burden of self-criticism and expectation of skills that they might place on themselves with traditional media.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 50%

“…Although the incorporation of digital technological tools has been used by art therapists for some years, there is limited and emergent literature discussing the use of VR in art therapy. Virtual reality is a relatively new medium that is different in that it allows for digital art making in three dimensions while also immersing the participant in a new digital visual environment (different from physical visual environment) (Hacmun et al, 2018;Kaimal et al, 2019). In using VR, individuals need to use a headset that transports them into a new environment that is imaginary/simulated visual and different from the physical environment that is retained in traditional art making.…”

Section: Digital Artmaking and Vr In Art Therapymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Engaging in VR involves detachment from real-life physical sensory experiences and shifts perception into digital visual and auditory stimuli (Hacmun et al, 2018;Kaimal et al, 2019). Olfactory stimuli can be a way to connect back to the senses when other senses like that of sight and spatial perception are altered in VR.…”

Section: Olfactory Stimulus In Virtual Realitymentioning

confidence: 99%

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Outcomes of Visual Self-Expression in Virtual Reality on Psychosocial Well-Being With the Inclusion of a Fragrance Stimulus: A Pilot Mixed-Methods Study

et al. 2020

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AimsIn this pilot mixed-methods study, we examined the participants experiences of engaging in virtual drawing tasks and the impact of an olfactory stimulus (calming fragrance blend) on outcomes of affect, stress, self-efficacy, anxiety, creative agency, and well-being (satisfaction with life).MethodsThis study used a parallel mixed-methods, simple block randomization design. The study participants included 24 healthy adults aged 18 to 54 years, including 18 women and six men. The participants completed two 1-h immersive virtual art making sessions and were randomly assigned to receive either a fragrance or a non-fragrance condition for the first session. Quantitative (standardized self-report measures) and qualitative (open-ended survey responses and virtual artwork) datasets were collected concurrently and integrated during data analysis.ResultsThe quantitative results indicated that the fragrance condition demonstrated a significant reduction in negative affect (e.g., feeling hostile, jittery, upset, distressed, etc.), namely, reduced feelings of negativity when compared to the non-fragrance condition. A trend toward improvement in self-efficacy was also seen in the fragrance condition. No significant changes were found for fragrance or non-fragrance conditions for positive affect, anxiety, and creative agency. The qualitative findings included five themes related to art making experiences in virtual reality in both conditions: fun and joy; novelty of virtual media, experimentation, and play; relaxation and calm; learning curve; and physical discomfort and disorientation. Four themes were identified for virtual art content and visual qualities: nature imagery, references to memories and personal symbols, fantasy and play within imagery, and depiction of everyday objects.ConclusionsOverall, the participants reported positive responses to the novel virtual art making experiences which were further heightened by the inclusion of the fragrance stimulus for negative affect. These preliminary findings need to be replicated with larger sample sizes to confirm the outcomes and the trends that were seen in this pilot study. Further research is recommended to examine the differences between experiences of virtual and traditional art media and to examine different olfactory stimuli promoting focus and concentration.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 85%

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 50%

Section: Digital Artmaking and Vr In Art Therapymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Olfactory Stimulus In Virtual Realitymentioning

confidence: 99%

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Outcomes of Visual Self-Expression in Virtual Reality on Psychosocial Well-Being With the Inclusion of a Fragrance Stimulus: A Pilot Mixed-Methods Study

et al. 2020

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“…Thus, there might be opportunities to investigate the complicated aspects of psychotherapeutic assessment and intervention including eye and head movements that occur during the creative process. In some cases, virtual reality technology offers avenues for embodied artistic expression which could be different from outcomes and processes seen in traditional artistic media (Kaimal et al, 2019).…”

Section: Potential Approaches To Research In Art Therapy Using Mobimentioning

confidence: 99%

Approaches to Research in Art Therapy Using Imaging Technologies

King

Kaimal

2019

Front. Hum. Neurosci.

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A systematic literature review of virtual embodied experience

Chen,

Ning,

Chen

2023

Psychology and Marketing

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Virtual scenarios have brought intriguing enhancements to the in‐reality experiences of individuals, and a paradigm of embodiment, rather than disembodiment, has evolved. Research on virtual embodied experience has connected the trends of virtualization and embodiment of experience but remains scattered and inconclusive. This systematic review of 125 peer‐reviewed journal papers in the Scopus database uncovers extant work on the contextualization, conceptualization, and causal links of virtual embodied experience. It finds that extant literature neglects certain cutting‐edge scenarios. Research still needs to identify more explicit dimensional structures of virtual embodied experience and more antecedents and consequences along the causal chain. Research has grounded itself in theoretical constellations across cognitive and behavioral science, sociology, and computer science. Nevertheless, flaws remain, not least the use of disembodiment‐oriented theories to explain embodied experience and insufficient emphasis on the subjectivity of technology. As the lack of suitable research frameworks has presented obstacles to quantitative research, this study proposes a framework highlighting virtual embodied experience bridging virtual scenario elements (technological and environmental factors) and multiple consequences (perception, responses, and performances). This study sets out a future research agenda, including promising research directions such as exploring virtual embodied experiences in multiple virtual scenarios, clarifying its dimensional structures, and underlining the complexity of how it mediates virtual scenario elements and commercial consequences and how it leads to possible negative consequences.

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Virtual Reality in Art Therapy: A Pilot Qualitative Study of the Novel Medium and Implications for Practice

Cited by 43 publications

References 32 publications

Outcomes of Visual Self-Expression in Virtual Reality on Psychosocial Well-Being With the Inclusion of a Fragrance Stimulus: A Pilot Mixed-Methods Study

Outcomes of Visual Self-Expression in Virtual Reality on Psychosocial Well-Being With the Inclusion of a Fragrance Stimulus: A Pilot Mixed-Methods Study

Approaches to Research in Art Therapy Using Imaging Technologies

A systematic literature review of virtual embodied experience

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