A therapy system for post-traumatic stress disorder using a virtual agent and virtual storytelling to reconstruct traumatic memories
article
Although post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is well treatable, many people do not get the desired treatment due to barriers to care (such as stigma and cost). This paper presents a system that bridges this gap by enabling patients to follow therapy at home. A therapist is only involved remotely, to monitor progress and serve as a safety net. With this system, patients can recollect their memories in a digital diary and recreate them in a 3D WorldBuilder. Throughout the therapy, a virtual agent is present to inform and guide patients through the sessions, employing an ontology-based question module for recollecting traumatic memories to further elicit a detailed memory recollection. In a usability study with former PTSD patients (n = 4), these questions were found useful for memory recollection. Moreover, the usability of the whole system was rated positively. This system has the potential to be a valuable addition to the spectrum of PTSD treatments, offering a novel type of home therapy assisted by a virtual agent. © 2017, The Author(s).
Topics
TNO Identifier
777395
ISSN
01485598
Source
Journal of Medical Systems, 41(8), pp. 1-10.
Publisher
Springer New York LLC
Article nr.
125
Pages
1-10
Files
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