A Therapy System for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Using a Virtual Agent and Virtual Storytelling to Reconstruct Traumatic Memories

Tielman, M.L.; Neerincx, M.A.; Bidarra, Rafael; Kybartas, B.A.; Brinkman, W.P.

doi:10.1007/s10916-017-0771-y

A Therapy System for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Using a Virtual Agent and Virtual Storytelling to Reconstruct Traumatic Memories

Title

A Therapy System for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Using a Virtual Agent and Virtual Storytelling to Reconstruct Traumatic Memories

Author

Tielman, M.L. (TU Delft Interactive Intelligence)
Neerincx, M.A. (TU Delft Interactive Intelligence; TNO)
Bidarra, Rafael (TU Delft Computer Graphics and Visualisation)
Kybartas, B.A. (TU Delft Computer Graphics and Visualisation)
Brinkman, W.P. (TU Delft Interactive Intelligence)

Date

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.

Subject

Conversational agent
E-health
Mental health
Ontology
Post-traumatic stress disorder
Question system
Relational agent
Therapy system
Virtual agent
Virtual reality