"Nyctophy": Assessing the effectiveness of serious game for nyctophobia based on virtual reality by usability and heart rate monitoring
Elshad Ryan Ardiyanto, Patrick Alexander, Edyth Novian Putra, Dimas Ramdhan · Procedia Computer Science · 2024
Nyctophobia is a phobia of the dark and is common among children but also found in adults. While the phobia itself is commonly known, the diversity of its treatment is still minimal. As technology has reached its highest point, numerous inventions and innovations have emerged in the medical sector. This study aimed to examine the usability of Virtual Reality and Keyboard and Mouse as an interface using the Extended Reality Game Usability Questionnaire (XR-GUQ) in Nyctophobia therapy and to analyze the heart rate response, impact, and implications using t-test Paired/Wilcoxon Signed Rank. Thirty-four Bina Nusantara University students from various backgrounds completed the test using interfaces and a smartwatch. They were divided into two groups, high- and low fear, using the modified Acrophobia Questionnaire (AQ), which resulted in a significant difference. The XR-GUQ result was insignificant in all variables, which indicates similar usability scores on both interfaces. The t-test Paired/Wilcoxon Signed Rank test revealed a significant difference between the high- and low-fear groups when using the Virtual Reality interface compared to the Keyboard and Mouse interface. This significant difference was found within each group regardless of the interface used. This research shows similar scores in terms of usability but a significant difference in heart rate response with the help of a serious game to give a new sensation of phobia therapy.