PDF(Pubmed)
Abstract：
Background: Specific phobias impact over 400 million people worldwide. Digitalizing mental health could alleviate the burden. Still, although the corporate-driven Metaverse is expanding rapidly, there needs to be more momentum in harnessing virtual reality exposure therapy uptake. Objective: This study aims to conceptualize, develop, and deploy a free Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) application specifically designed for treating acrophobia and claustrophobia. This pilot study, which holds the promise of a future where mental health is more accessible and effective, explores the feasibility of leveraging transdisciplinary collaboration among specialists to create a safe, accessible, and effective VRET solution. Methods: We conducted a Delphi heuristic approach involving bioethicists, neuroscientists, and tech developers. Second, we reviewed the existing psychological theories and therapeutic strategies for addressing phobias in VR. Third, we conceptualized a thematic analysis-derived framework for a safe, adaptive-gamified free exposure to virtual reality acrophobia and claustrophobia (SAFEvR ACT). Finally, we provide an overview of the iterative improvements made during 12 workshops and 76 weekly briefings on developmental implementations. Results: We developed the SAFEvR ACT into a proof-of-concept application freely deployed on the MentalVerse app platform. Our safety-focused approach can benefit from prevalidation perspectives within future randomized control trials. Conclusions: The resulting application derived from the SAFEvR ACT framework represents a blueprint to counter the current lack of iVR mental health uptake by offering a free VRET alternative. Future research should aim towards developing similar free platforms to lessen mental health burdens and gather quantitative data. We conclude with a call to action to researchers to fine-tune our current approach and take a stand for free digital mental health within MentalVeRse.app.
摘要：
背景：特定恐惧症影响全球超过4亿人。数字化心理健康可以减轻这种负担。尽管如此，尽管企业驱动的Metaverse正在迅速扩张，在利用虚拟现实暴露疗法的吸收方面需要有更多的动力。目的：本研究旨在概念化，发展,并部署专门用于治疗恐惧症和幽闭恐惧症的免费虚拟现实暴露疗法（VRET）应用程序。这项试点研究，这预示着未来心理健康更容易获得和有效，探讨了利用专家之间的跨学科合作来创建安全的可行性，可访问,和有效的VRET解决方案。方法：我们进行了德尔菲启发式方法，涉及生物伦理学家，神经科学家,和技术开发人员。第二,我们回顾了在VR中解决恐惧症的现有心理学理论和治疗策略。第三，我们概念化了一个主题分析衍生的框架，自适应游戏化自由暴露于虚拟现实恐惧症和幽闭恐惧症(SAFEvRACT)。最后,我们概述了在12个研讨会和76个关于开发实施的每周简报中进行的迭代改进。结果：我们将SAFEvRACT开发为在MentalVerse应用程序平台上自由部署的概念验证应用程序。我们以安全为中心的方法可以从未来随机对照试验的预验证观点中受益。结论：从SAFEvRACT框架得出的应用程序代表了通过提供免费的VRET替代方案来应对当前缺乏iVR心理健康吸收的蓝图。未来的研究应旨在开发类似的免费平台，以减轻心理健康负担并收集定量数据。最后，我们呼吁研究人员采取行动，调整我们目前的方法，并在MentalVeRse中支持免费的数字心理健康。app。
