Research Notes

Metrics for collaboration techniques

Proposal of features for an ideal VRGT app

1. According to a recent study published in the Lancet Psychiatry, after 12 weeks of treatment, patients receiving avatar therapy were less likely to be bothered by voices than patients getting standard counseling. Avatars could be incorporated that mimic users' interactions and functionality. Users should be able to customize them.

2. Spatialized sound for trainer voice and environment music/sound/noise.

3. There should be some sort of audience to communicate with or give positive feedback to.

4. There should be a form of therapeutic alliance so that users can choose what they want to work on and form an alliance with the therapist. This could be achieved by the therapist talking to the group on the day of session/fit schedule or pre survey questionnaire.

5. With the alliance and audience, behavioral empathy can be achieved. Cognitive empathy can be achieved through the baseline physiological questionnaires using the IPSM model. With a group based setting, there should be an opportunity for everyone to empathize with the speaker's feelings (affective empathy).

6. Through a tracker, the therapist should be able to track the patient's cooperation, resistance, homework completion, hostility, or defensive styles for collaborative involvement.

7. Cohesion in a group based setting would be the equivalent of therapeutic alliance for 1:many. This group based setting should be done based on the data collected. The group should be instructed on what to expect and what to not expect. The social structure should be set correctly.

8. The GI and TPS method can be incorporated into the app through circles/personal bubbles. Teleportation could be used as physical space in breakout rooms.

9. The baseline questionnaire can include psychosocial questionnaires assessing life events, general functioning, satisfaction with life, and aspects of mood (including symptom levels), personality, health, social support, traumatic experience, and spirituality.

10. There should be more accessibility in terms of languages and culture for trainer

11. An important part of group therapy is stigmatizing beliefs since people can see they’re not alone and form a support group.