Abstract

PLAZAS TORRES, Mauricio. Use of virtual environments and selection of measurement parameters for the treatment of phobias. Rev Cubana Invest Bioméd [online]. 2008, vol.27, n.3-4, pp. 0-0. ISSN 1561-3011.

INTRODUCTION: The level of phobia condition and its progress is established by the evaluation the doctor does of the patient, without having a certain control of the measurement variables that indicate his medical evolution. OBJECTIVE: To discover some quantitative variables and to determine the evolution and the level of disease in patients with phobias by using the vital signs as a useful tool for phsycicians. METHODS: The vital signs of the patient in a relaxed environment were measured and compared with the vital signs measured under a virtual environment producing phobia, by using virtual reality equipment and environments of height and closed spaces. At the end of this research, it was determined if the virtual environment had any influence on the person's psychological changes seen through the vital signs of temperature, heart rate and fundamental frequency of the voice. RESULTS: Some parameter as mean heart rate, energy and duration of the voice, did not allow to distinguish the reaction of the person in a virtual environment and at rest. Others parameters as temperature, heart variability and the fundamental frequency of the voice let us distinguish the state of rest and the virtual environment. Only the parameter of temperature and the fundamental frequency of the voice are useful for the virtual environment of heights

Keywords : Virtual reality; phobic disorders; synthetic environments; physiologic measures; psychology.