An exploratory investigation into the potential of mobile virtual reality for the treatment of paruresis – a social anxiety disorder

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Lewis, J. ORCID: 0000-0002-2788-5043, Paul, A. and Brown, D. ORCID: 0000-0002-1677-7485, 2018. An exploratory investigation into the potential of mobile virtual reality for the treatment of paruresis – a social anxiety disorder. In: 12th International Conference on Disability, Virtual Reality and Associated Technologies (ICDVRAT), University of Nottingham, Nottingham, 4-6 September 2018.

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Abstract

This paper describes the initial exploratory phase of developing a VR intervention designed to alleviate the problems people with Paruresis experience when they need to utilise public toilet facilities. The first phase of the study produced a virtual environment, based upon a public toilet, which would run on the widely available Gear VR or Oculus Go HMD. The purpose of this prototype was to facilitate an informed discussion with a focus group of Paruresis patients, to obtain preliminary conclusions on whether they were interested in such an intervention and whether it offered potential to help alleviate the condition. In partnership with the UK Paruresis Trust the software was reviewed by both potential users and domain specialists. Results showed that the majority of participants reported a stress response to the stimulus of the virtual public toilet, indicating that it could be effective as a platform for graduated exposure therapy. Focus group feedback, and input from domain experts, was utilised as part of a participatory design methodology to guide the priorities for a second phase of development. The exploratory study concluded that this approach offers great potential as a future treatment for people with Paruresis.

Item Type:	Conference contribution
Creators:	Lewis, J., Paul, A. and Brown, D.
Date:	September 2018
Divisions:	Schools > School of Science and Technology
Record created by:	Linda Sullivan
Date Added:	14 Aug 2018 15:39
Last Modified:	14 Aug 2018 15:41
URI:	https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/34333