VIRTUAL REALITY SYSTEM FOR TREATING EATING DISORDERS

Abstract

The technical data package of this project includes information about the design of the Virtual Reality System for Treating Eating Disorders. The goal of this system is to help support patients with anorexia and bulimia to become more comfortable and develop a healthier connection with food. The system uses 360-degree video that will place the user in scenes where they will be exposed to different situations that vary in difficulty. The user will also be given several choices at each level that include options for food type and amount. To move to the next level, the user must fall into a certain calorie count range that is calculated using their weight, sex, and age. Moreover, to keep track of the progress of the patients, psychological data will be self-reported by the patient following the simulation. We will be recording the heart rate and galvanic skin response of the patient to monitor the parts of the virtual reality simulation that correspond with increased psychological reactions. Furthermore, after each simulation, the user will fill out a self-evaluation form to give feedback directly from the user's perspective. All these features that are included in the design will help the patients with eating disorders to react better in similar situations they may face, and give a clearer view to their physician of how they are progressing.