Phobias
V3.1.27
Software Description
Detailed description of activities, settings, and interaction options within the scenes.
Most scenarios begin in a standing position. However, there are also chairs and sofas in many scenarios. If you want the patient to sit down, you need to provide a physical chair for them to sit on.
Lobby
This scenario starts automatically when the app is opened.
At the beginning, a 5-second countdown appears in the headset. During this time, patients should look straight ahead, as the scenario will be aligned according to this direction. Beforehand, the patient should be positioned to have as much open space in front of them as possible. This also applies to all other scenarios!
In the lobby, the aim is for patients to familiarize themselves with a virtual environment as well as with the controllers.
Patients learn two essential things here:
Moving in the Space
Patients can move through the space using their own steps. For larger distances, however, the teleport function is used. To do this, push the joystick on the controller forward with your thumb. You will then see a colored beam that allows you to aim at any point on the floor. When the beam glows green, you can teleport to that location. To do this, simply release the joystick, and you will suddenly appear at the targeted point. If the beam is not green but red, teleporting to that point is not possible.
Our recommendation: At the beginning, use the teleport function for larger distances. Let the last steps to specific objects be taken with your own steps.
Picking Up Objects
With the virtual hands, a variety of objects in the scenarios can be picked up. To do this, move the virtual hand toward the object, such as a beer bottle. Then, press the button on the inside of the grip, usually with the middle finger. The hand will then close, and you will be holding the object.
If you want to release the object, simply let go of the button. Small objects, such as a cigarette, are automatically picked up with two fingers. Depending on the position of the hand (palm facing down or up), the cigarette is either held between the index and middle fingers or between the index finger and thumb.
Important note about grabbing:
When holding an object and moving it into another object (e.g., a cigarette into the table), the object disappears into it, as all objects are virtual, and there are no physical barriers.
Therefore, it is important to release the objects in a timely manner.
Switching Scenarios
After an introduction in the lobby, select an appropriate scenario from the scenario overview on the left. To do this, click on the image of the scenario and then on the
Also, make sure to observe the 5-second countdown here.
Important note:
If you want to switch to another scenario, always return to the lobby first. Only then can a new scenario be selected and started.
Explanation for the following descriptions:
When referring to “buttons,” this means all the buttons found under “Presets,” “Settings,” and “Interactions” that can be pressed by you.
When additional “interaction options” are listed, these refer to actions that the patient performs themselves in the headset.
Height
Description of the scenario
The patient is standing on a terrace of a high-rise building. In front of him/her, there is a walkway which extends a long way out. The patient can walk forward on this walkway and look down to the left and right. As an alternative to walking, the patient can teleport to various points on this path. The therapist can change the floor height and utilize additional functions.
Buttons
On the buttons, the following settings can be made:
- Floor
Selection of the floor between 1, 3, 8, 20 - City noises
Activation of city noises on the lower floors - Wind noises
Activation of wind noises on the upper floors
In the real environment, a board can be placed on the floor for the patient to step on, providing a tactile sensation to complement the virtual experience.
Spider
Description of the scenario
This scenario starts in a seated position. The patient should have already taken a seat before the scenario is started. The patient is then seated on a sofa in the scenario. In front of him, there is a table on which no spider is visible at first.
Buttons
On the buttons, the following settings can be made:
- Show/hide spider
Make the spider appear or disappear. - Spider movement
Let the spider walk around. - Spider approaching
Let the spider move toward the patient. - Spider size
Adjust the spider’s size as desired. - Speed
Adjust the spider’s speed as desired. - Different spider species
Select a different type of spider. - Appearance of multiple spiders
Let many spiders emerge from under the sofa. - Follow the stick
Let the spider follow the stick by picking it up. - Spider dying
Let the spider die. - Spider on the sofa
Make the spider appear on the sofa. - Reset spider position
Reset the spider to its starting position at the table.
Interaction options
Additionally, there are the following interaction options:
- Navigation
The patient can move around the room. With their own steps or the teleport function. - Pick up
The spiders can be picked up in the virtual hand.
Car Ride
Description of the scenario
When your patient puts on the VR headset and you start the scenario on the computer, they are immediately placed in a car on the highway. Before you start the scenario, you can already decide whether the journey should begin on a normal stretch of road, in a tunnel or in an area of roadworks. You can also change the scenario during the journey with just one click.
Buttons
On the buttons, the following settings can be made:
- Environment Change for Tunnel, Highway, and Construction Site
- Toggle darkness on/off
- Show/hide rain
-> Activate or deactivate rain, or combine both. - Switch to passenger mode
- Trigger traffic jam
- Regulate speed
- Increase traffic flow
Patients should then brake to allow the additional cars to overtake.
Interaction options
Additionally, there are the following interaction options:
- Take the steering wheel and steer
- Can change the lane
- Can adjust back mirror
- Can set the indicator
- Can regulate the speed
- Activate windshield wipers
- Turn on the radio
Tap the monitor with your hand.
Injection and Blood Draw
Description of the scenario
The patient initially stands in a treatment room. They move toward the treatment chair. A physical chair must be placed for them to sit down. As the session progresses, a doctor can draw blood or administer an injection. A male or female torso is displayed to provide a free arm for these procedures.
Buttons
On the buttons, the following settings can be made:
- Make the doctor appear
The scenario starts without the doctor initially. - Upper body
Select whether the upper body should appear female or male. - Doctor approaching
Let the doctor walk toward the patient. - Optionally, have the doctor either draw blood or administer an injection.
Interaction options
Additionally, there are the following interaction options:
- Inspect syringe
At the start, the patient can pick up a syringe and examine it closely.
MRI
Description of the scenario
The patient starts in the corner of the treatment room where the MRI machine is located. He can either go over to the tube himself or jump there using the teleport function. He can look at the tube from close up and put his head in it for a test.
The patient can lie down in your practice. At the push of a button, you can teleport him to where he has to lie down on the MRI tube. From now on, the patient experiences the rest of the procedure lying down. Including the movement into the MRI machine and the scan in the tube.
Buttons
The following settings can be adjusted using the buttons:
- Bring the patient into the lying position in front of the MRI tube.
- Have the patient move into the tube.
- Start and end the scan
- Change the size of the tube
Mouse
Description of the scenario
This scenario starts in a seated position. The patient should have already taken a seat before the scenario is started. The patient is then seated on a sofa in the scenario. In front of him is a table on which there is initially no mouse visible.
Buttons
The following settings can be adjusted using the buttons:
- Show/hide mouse
Make the mouse appear or disappear. - Mouse movement
Let the mouse walk around. - Mouse approaching
Let the mouse move toward the patient. - Mouse size
Adjust the mouse’s size as desired. - Speed
Adjust the mouse’s speed as desired. - Walking on the floor
Allow the mouse to walk around on the floor as well.
Interaction options
Additionally, there are the following interaction options:
- Navigation
The patient moves through the apartment either by walking or using teleportation points. - Pick up mouse
The mouse can be taken in the virtual hand.
Bus
Description of the scenario
When your patient puts on the VR headset and you start the scenario on the computer, they are immediately in a bus right next to the driver.
Special features of this scenario
The bus is computer-generated, allowing patients to move freely within it. However, the landscape outside is real, creating an overall very realistic driving experience. The bus regularly stops at real bus stops and displays these stops on the screen.
Buttons
The following settings can be adjusted using the buttons:
- Passengers
Show or hide other passengers. - Teenage passengers
Optionally, only teenagers or a mix of passengers. - Having conversations
Individual conversations between passengers and the patient. - Eye contact
The passengers are programmed to automatically establish eye contact during a conversation using text-to-speech.
Interaction options
Additionally, there are the following interaction options:
- Navigation
Walk through the bus and sit on any available seat. Alternatively, you can also teleport directly to these seats. - View from the window
Look out the window and see a realistic landscape (green spaces, cars, buildings, people). - Press the stop button.
Airplane
Description of the scenario
This scenario starts in a seated position. The patient should have already taken a seat before the scenario is started. The patient is then positioned in the scenario in a seat in the middle between two other seats.
Buttons
The following settings can be adjusted using the buttons:
- Start
Looking out the window and hearing the increasing engine noise creates a typical start-up experience. After a few minutes, the airplane transitions to normal flight mode. - Landing
The patient also experiences a descent followed by a landing. - Show/hide seat neighbor
The seat next to the patient can be occupied by a stranger (avatar) or left empty again. - Announcement: Turbulence
The therapist can trigger an announcement that turbulence will occur soon. - Turbulence
The therapist can trigger turbulence. The whole environment shakes. The other seat neighbors also react with corresponding movements, creating an acoustic rattling sound. - False alarm
The therapist can trigger a false alarm with falling masks and passengers screaming in fear. - Having conversations
Individual conversations between passengers and the patient.
Interaction options
Additionally, there are the following interaction options:
- Navigation
The patient can stand up and choose another seat on the plane. - Sun visor
The sun visors can be opened and closed.
Seminar room
Description of the scenario
The patients start the scenario in the entrance area of the room. The patient walks himself or herself or teleports to the middle of the room by clicking on the controller. In front of them, there are tables set up in a U-shape with 12 people sitting there.
The patient can now begin their lecture. The therapist can trigger different reactions from the audience during this time.
Buttons
The following settings can be adjusted using the buttons:
- Presentation audience
Before starting, you can decide whether to have a large stage with around 150 avatars instead of the seminar room, or sit at a conference table with three avatars. This switch can also be made during the scenario. - Show/hide avatars
At the conference table, you can use the number keys 1, 2, and 3 on the keyboard to make the three avatars disappear or reappear. - Eye contact with the audience
Turn the audience toward the patient and have them maintain eye contact. - Audience reaction
Trigger laughter, applause, or unrest from the audience. - Questions from the audience
Have the avatars speak individually to the patient. - Individual presentation
Clicking on “Display” opens the computer’s hard drive. From there, the patient’s uploaded images can be selected and uploaded. These will then be displayed on the screen. - Whiteboard instead of screen
Clicking on “Whiteboard” replaces the screen with a whiteboard that the patient can work with.
Interaction options
Additionally, there are the following interaction options:
- Navigation
Patients can move freely through the rooms or use the teleport function. - Whiteboard
The pen can be picked up and used to write or draw on the board. - Sponge
The sponge can also be picked up and used to erase the content.
Wasps
Description of the scenario
The patients start outdoors on a terrace. Using the teleport function, they can move throughout the entire garden. A wasp is present from the beginning.
Buttons
The following settings can be adjusted using the buttons:
- Show/hide wasps
Make the wasps appear or disappear. - Protective equipment
Make the newspaper, wooden stick, and insect spray appear. - Wasp follows viewer
The wasp follows the patient. - Wasp follows drink
The wasp follows the can of drink. - Wasp lands/takes off
A wasp lands on the can. - Wasp sting
Trigger a wasp sting. - Number of wasps
Adjust the number of wasps. - Reset scene
Reset the scene to the starting position.
Interaction options
Additionally, there are the following interaction options:
- Navigation
The patient can move freely through the garden – either by walking or using the teleport function. - Protective equipment
The newspaper and wooden stick can be picked up and used. The insect spray can be activated. If a wasp is hit, it falls to the ground (however, one wasp always remains alive). - Can of drink
The can can be picked up and opened. A colored liquid can be poured from the can. - Wasp sting
A wasp lands on the back of the hand, stings the patient, and triggers haptic feedback on the controllers. Wasp nest
At the back of the garden, there is a tree with a wasp nest. The nest can be knocked to the ground with the wooden stick. Afterwards, it can be picked up and examined closely.
Subway station
Description of the scenario
Once your patient puts on the VR headset and you start the scenario, they will either be directly inside a moving subway or on a busy platform. In the subway, they are initially alone, but passengers can be added if needed. On the platform, other people are either walking around or waiting for the next train.
The avatars can be optionally activated – they stand, sit, or move like real passengers. When Text-to-Speech is enabled, they respond to the patient with eye contact.
Buttons
The therapist can activate the following actions in this scenario:
- Subway Departure
The subway departs from the station. - Subway Arrival
The subway arrives at the station. - Stalling
Simulation of a stalled train. - Show Avatars
Toggle avatars on or off. - Crowd
Adjust the number of avatars (using a slider). - Prevent Automatic Door Opening
The subway doors remain closed. - Make avatars smile or give a provocative look
- Announcements in the Subway
Play individual announcements.
In the practice system, only a small number of avatars are available.
Interaction options
Additionally, there are the following interaction options:
- Navigation
The patient can move freely through the subway and station – either with their own steps or using the teleport function. - Getting On and Off
At each station, the patient can get on or off at any time. - Sit on a Seat
The patient can sit on any seat in the subway. (Note: Prepare a real chair in the therapy room for this.)
360-degree-films
This software package also includes 360-degree films.
In contrast to the scenarios, these contents are not computer-generated but developed using a 360-degree camera.
This allows for a panoramic view, but there is no physical movement capability.
Additionally, there are no settings or interaction options with films.
Since the camera tripod has been removed, some patients may get the impression that they are very high above the ground. In reality, it is exactly 170 centimeters, as the camera was positioned at that height.
If it fits the environment, we recommend using the films in a seated position, for example, with the nature scenes.
Training
HERE, you can complete an online training that can provide additional ideas for using our VR system.
If you don’t find answers here, we are happy to assist you by phone or email!
