Daijiworld Media Network - Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, Apr 20: A new study from Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) has revealed that virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) technology can effectively simulate stressful situations and help individuals practice stress-relief strategies.

Led by Anna Fang from CMU’s School of Computer Science’s Human-Computer Interaction Institute, the research involved 19 participants and tested how VR/AR could be used to prepare for anxiety-inducing scenarios like public speaking, social gatherings, and personal confrontations.

"Virtual and augmented reality have made major strides in the mental health space over the past two decades," said Fang, highlighting the rise of meditation and wellness apps.

The research team developed 24 prototypes across three scenarios using a mix of VR, AR, mixed-reality, and text-based simulations. These simulations offered varying levels of interaction, allowing users to choose how they engaged with the content.

Participants reported increased self-awareness and appreciated having control over when to receive guidance from the system’s language model, rather than getting automated suggestions.
"They wanted technology that would help them learn self-sufficiency skills they didn’t feel they had," Fang noted.

Users also expressed a desire for portability, indicating they’d like to use the headsets in different environments to practice adapting to real-life stressors.

The next phase of the project will include more lifelike avatars and enhanced text-to-speech capabilities for natural user interactions, aiming to make the experience even more immersive and helpful.