Mobile Virtual Reality to Enhance Subjective Well-Being

Introduction

Focusing on health-care, in the last few decades advanced technologies have become crucial keys in supporting subjective well-being (Botella et al., 2012; Riva et al., 2012). Among them, Virtual Reality (VR) - defined as three-dimensional, stereoscopic, interactive computer graphics — has been proven effective in promoting mental health at different levels. In particular, several research studies showed the efficacy of VR in stress management (Gaggioli et al., 2014; Pallavicini et al., 2013; Rizzo et al., 2012; Serino et al., 2014) and in the treatment of different disorders; these include phobias (Parsons & Rizzo, 2008; Rothbaum et al., 1995), anxiety (Meyerbröker & Emmelkamp, 2010, 2011; Pallavicini et al., 2009) and eating disorders (Ferrer-García et al., 2009; Riva, 2005). This technology is also adopted in neuropsychology, for both the assessment and training of cognitive processes (Cipresso et al., 2014; Fordell et al., 2011; Raspelli et al., 2012).

Although the dramatic development in the field of VR systems, there are still important problems related to the use of this technology (Pallavicini et al., 2015; Proffitt & Lange, 2015). First, from a technological point of view, VR are not so easy to be used, requiring a specific training for the clinician and the patient. Secondly, from a clinical perspective, these technologies are not easy to be moved at patients’ home, where the delivery of interactive exercises may be useful, especially when patients are provided with a rehabilitative training (Pallavicini et al., 2015).

Within this perspective, the growing availability, low-cost and easy-to-use of Mobile Virtual Reality (MVR) (i.e., the integration of VR system on mobile devices such as smartphone and tablet) represents a meaningful opportunity to support mental health interventions (Gaggioli et al., 2014; Gorini et al., 2010; Pallavicini et al., 2009). MVR, in particular, can offer to the community an innovative tool for the management, monitoring and delivery of exercises, that can also be used in individuals ‘favorite environment', their home (Pallavicini et al., 2015; Tong et al., 2015; Schroeder et al., 2013) .

The present chapter will first briefly describe MVR, highlighting the specific features that characterize it. Then, a MVR design practice will be presented. In conclusion, the current application of MVR to enhance subjective well-being will be discussed, with the support of concrete examples and research studies-analysis.