Virtual reality in pediatric psychology

Parsons, T. D; Riva, Giuseppe; Parsons, S. J; Mantovani, Fabrizia; Newbutt, Nigel; Lin, Lin; Venturini, Eva; Hall, Trevor

Abstract

Copyright © 2017 by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Virtual reality (VR) technologies allow for controlled simulations of affectively engaging background narratives. These virtual environments offer promise for enhancing emotionally relevant experiences and social interactions. Within this context, VR can allow instructors, therapists, neuropsychologists, and service providers to offer safe, repeatable, and diversifiable interventions that can benefit assessments and learning in both typically developing children and children with disabilities. Research has also pointed to VR's capacity to reduce children's experience of aversive stimuli and reduce anxiety levels. Although there are a number of purported advantages of VR technologies, challenges have emerged. One challenge for this field of study is the lack of consensus on how to do trials. A related issue is the need for establishing the psychometric properties of VR assessments and interventions. This review investigates the advantages and challenges inherent in the application of VR technologies to pediatric assessments and interventions.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 19, 2017
• Publication Date: Nov 1, 2017
• Deposit Date: Jul 13, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 1, 2018
• Journal: Pediatrics
• Print ISSN: 0031-4005
• Electronic ISSN: 1098-4275
• Publisher: American Academy of Pediatrics
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 140
• Issue: 2
• Pages: S86-S91
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2016-1758I
• Keywords: virtual reality, psychology, head mounted display, autism
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/879046
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1542/peds.2016-1758I
• Contract Date: Jul 13, 2017