Technology-based therapeutic tools
We create content that is engaging, realistic, and motivational with the goal of assisting users in increasing their chances of successfully adopting targeted behavior changes. Our systems are also useful for clinicians wishing to provide patients with another tool for in-session and at-home practice of therapeutic techniques. In addition, users (both with and without clinical support, depending on the targeted therapy need) can still experience some of the social support they would receive with in-person groups.
Featured TheraVerse™ Projects
CESSATION
A narrative virtual reality (VR) tool that guides the user through a series of daily tasks while presenting cues that stimulate cigarette cravings. Users receive smoking-related cues (e.g., their first cup of coffee) and experience common triggering events (e.g., walking by a group of smokers, stressful work situations) so they can practice techniques to resist cravings in an immersive environment that feels much like the real world.
The CESSATION app can be downloaded from the Meta Quest Store.
NO VAPE
Nicotine vaping is associated with multiple adverse reactions including oral health issues, lung injury, and cardiac, respiratory, and gastrointestinal disorders. NO VAPE allows users to practice cognitive behavioral therapy skills commonly used in traditional therapy. It provides accessible, immersive, engaging, and ecologically valid practice while motivating greater intervention adherence and satisfaction, removing many barriers to care access. NO VAPE is designed to enhance vaping cessation outcomes in chronic vapers who want to quit.
“Current methods for practicing tools used in therapy are effective, but they are often not as fun as they could be. Our goal with TheraVerse is to embed practice of therapeutic techniques into VR that addresses multiple mental health and drug dependence issues. This could make practice more immersive and accessible to encourage more frequent, consistent practice of skills.”
Dr. Bethany Bracken
Principal Scientist and Principal Investigator on TheraVerse
CESSATION has been funded in whole or in part with Federal funds from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, under Contract No. HHSN271201700037C. NO VAPE has been funded in whole or in part with Federal funds from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, under Contract No. HHSN271201700037C. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, or Department of Health and Human Services.
