Title
A therapy system for post-traumatic stress disorder using a virtual agent and virtual storytelling to reconstruct traumatic memories
Author
Tielman, M.L.
Neerincx, M.A.
Bidarra, R.
Kybartas, B.
Brinkman, W.P.
Publication year
2017
Abstract
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).
Subject
2015 Human & Operational Modelling
PCS - Perceptual and Cognitive Systems
Defence Research
Defence, Safety and Security
Conversational agent
E-health
Mental health
Ontology
Post-traumatic stress disorder
Question system
Relational agent
Therapy system
Virtual agent
Virtual reality
To reference this document use:
http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:fde4002c-8cab-4403-8a13-95542a706cbd
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10916-017-0771-y
TNO identifier
777395
Publisher
Springer New York LLC
ISSN
0148-5598
Source
Journal of Medical Systems, 41 (8), 1-10
Article number
125
Document type
article