Physiology-driven adaptive VR system : technology and rationale for PTSD treatment

The design and development of a system for automated adaptation of virtual reality based scenarios driven by the subject’ s physiology is presented, with a rationale regarding application of the system in PTSD treatment. The system functions in two operating modes corresponding to the major phases of the treatment protocol. In the initial testing mode, the patient’ s general psychophysiological characteristics are identified and the audiovisual content of the later exposure sessions is customized to the patient. In the adaptive control mode, the therapist conducts exposure sessions, and the system strives to optimally individualize therapy according to the patient’ s psychophysiological profile and degree of sensitivity to various stimuli. Future evaluation of the system is discussed in the closing section.