ABSTRACT
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0033843.].
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Mind-body medical approaches may ameliorate chronic disease. Stress reduction is particularly helpful, but face-to-face delivery systems cannot reach all those who might benefit. An online, 3-dimensional virtual world may be able to support the rich interpersonal interactions required of this approach. In this pilot study, we explore the feasibility of translating a face-to-face stress reduction program into an online virtual setting and estimate the effect size of the intervention. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Domain experts in virtual world technology joined with mind body practitioners to translate an existing 8 week relaxation response-based resiliency program into an 8-week virtual world-based program in Second Life™ (SL). Twenty-four healthy volunteers with at least one month's experience in SL completed the program. Each subject filled out the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the Symptom Checklist 90- Revised (SCL-90-R) before and after taking part. Participants took part in one of 3 groups of about 10 subjects. The participants found the program to be helpful and enjoyable. Many reported that the virtual environment was an excellent substitute for the preferred face-to-face approach. On quantitative measures, there was a general trend toward decreased perceived stress, (15.7 to 15.0), symptoms of depression, (57.6 to 57.0) and anxiety (56.8 to 54.8). There was a significant decrease of 2.8 points on the SCL-90-R Global Severity Index (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This pilot project showed that it is feasible to deliver a typical mind-body medical intervention through a virtual environment and that it is well received. Moreover, the small reduction in psychological distress suggests further research is warranted. Based on the data collected for this project, a randomized trial with less than 50 subjects would be appropriately powered if perceived stress is the primary outcome.
Subject(s)
Mind-Body Therapies , Stress, Psychological , Adult , Anxiety/therapy , Depression/therapy , Female , Humans , Internet , Male , Pilot Projects , Program Evaluation , Young AdultABSTRACT
Communities of users are employing 3-D online virtual worlds for legitimate health related information exchange and social interaction. In order for care to be effectively delivered, the patient needs a transparent adaptation of real world practices into the virtual space. In this paper, we present our experience translating the clinical practice of teaching elicitation of the Relaxation Response in the real world to the virtual world Second Life. Process, challenges and outcome will be described.
