Adaptive Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy with Biofeedback
Hanna Zelis, Troy Kubanka, Lloyd Williams · 2025
Phobia exposure therapy, a well-established treatment for anxiety disorders, often faces challenges in creating safe, controlled, and realistic environments for patients. Virtual Reality (VR) technology offers a promising solution by safely simulating immersive environments for therapeutic exposure. This paper presents an innovative system that integrates VR with real-time biofeedback, using heart rate and galvanic skin response (GSR) to dynamically adjust exposure intensity based on the patient's physiological state. The system personalizes exposure therapy by continuously monitoring the user's stress levels, ensuring an optimal balance between therapeutic progress and patient comfort. This approach has the potential to enhance the effectiveness of phobia therapy while providing a safer, more adaptive, and user-centered treatment experience. Future research will explore broader applications, including home-based therapy and integrating additional biosensors.