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

Mischa Brander,Stefan Vetter,Stephan T Egger,Stephan T Egger,Stéphane Magnenat,Robert W Sumner,Noa Hürlimann,Erich Seifritz

doi:10.2196/26820

Abstract

BackgroundDigital 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.ObjectiveWe aimed to study the usability of a therapeutic virtual reality human–human interface, created in a game engine.MethodsParticipants 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.ResultsIn 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.ConclusionsIn 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 RegistrationClinicaltrials.gov NCT04099940; http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04099940

Highlights

MethodsPsychotherapy is an effective and cost-efficient method for the treatment of psychiatric and psychological disorders [1]
We present a human–human interface that we developed for use in the treatment of patients experiencing verbal acoustic hallucinations
The usability of a digital psychotherapeutic tool developed using a game engine was studied in different professions

Summary

Introduction

MethodsPsychotherapy is an effective and cost-efficient method for the treatment of psychiatric and psychological disorders [1]. Psychotherapy as a treatment option has been largely neglected. It has gained recognition as an effective treatment when used in conjunction with pharmacotherapy [4,5]. Digital technologies have expanded the options for delivering psychotherapy, permitting for example, the treatment of schizophrenia using Avatar Therapy. Methods: Participants were psychiatric hospital staff who were introduced to the therapeutic platform in a hands-on session. Results: In total, 109 staff members were introduced to the therapeutic tool and completed the SUS. 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).

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