VISAKI

Virtual interaction to improve the mental health of children with social anxiety disorder

"VISAKI is a research project that develops new VR approaches for children with social anxiety -
together with clinics, families and science."

Project objective: The project aims to develop and evaluate a real-time 3D VR system for children aged 8 to 12. This platform supports children to practice their social skills in a safe environment and different scenarios through playful elements and immersive experiences. The main components include multi-user sessions to encourage peer support, development of interactive gamification elements and presentation of complex interactions and therapeutic scenarios. Children experience a sense of community and improve their social skills through avatars and virtual group interactions. The aim is to bridge breaks in therapy and increase the effectiveness of the treatment.

Motivation: Social anxiety disorder in children is widespread and can severely impair school and social life. The anxiety leads to social withdrawal, loneliness and other psychological problems in adulthood. Without early treatment, these disorders usually persist, which has a negative impact on education and social participation.

Innovation and prospects: The results of the project can reshape the treatment of social anxiety disorders. VR enables more intensive and more frequent applications of the techniques learnt. It can be used in clinics and schools and the scenarios can be extended to other mental anxiety disorders and age groups.

News

Behind the scenes – what happens next?

Last week, our project management team (pictured: Lena Gürster, Prof. Dr Thomas Spittler and Corinna Pippirs) met once again at ECRI in Pfarrkirchen to finalise the last stages of the requirements analysis. This marks an important milestone before our project partner, SOLID WHITE design & digital media GmbH, begins the first phase of development.
We are eager to see what insights emerge from this and how SOLID WHITE design & digital media GmbH will incorporate them into the implementation. At the same time, we have already gathered the first ideas for the evaluation to ensure sustainable quality assurance is considered from the outset.

It remains exciting; we look forward to the next steps!

Archiv

Needs Assessment 2.0 – Children

How do children with social anxiety disorder experience digital support? And what do they really need to feel safe, understood and motivated?

With these and a number of other questions in mind, the interdisciplinary research project VISAKI is now embarking on a needs analysis, with a particular focus on the children’s own perspectives. In August, the first focus group took place at Landshut District Hospital. Their wishes, experiences and views are to be incorporated directly into the design of the digital solution.
“We ourselves are really excited to meet the children. It is, after all, a special group and quite different from the interviews with parents and therapists. Completely new territory for us. Admittedly, we are a bit nervous, but we’re really looking forward to it. Especially to the results,” said Corinna Pippirs and Lena Gürster shortly before the focus group began. The focus group was also supported by child and adolescent psychologist Anett Kretschmer-Trendowicz from Landshut District Hospital.

Needs Analysis 1.0 – Therapists

Warm regards from Passau from project leader Prof. Dr Thomas Spittler and his research assistants Lena Gürster and Corinna Pippirs.

“Digital support can only be effective if it takes into account the day-to-day reality of therapy and the lives of families,” emphasises the research team.

In our needs analysis, we are conducting interviews with child and adolescent psychologists as well as parents to gain insights into therapeutic processes, the challenges of social anxiety disorder and potential digital additions.

🎯 Goal: A system that strengthens – not replaces – therapeutic processes.
Together with professionals and parents, we are developing a digital solution that empowers children and supports both therapy and everyday family life.

Needs Analysis 3.0 – Parents

Also on board with the VISAKI project: the team from Bonn University Hospital (UKB) – Prof. Björn Krüger and Melissa Steininger. The UKB is committed to translational, patient-centred research and contributes expertise in VR studies, human–computer interaction and data analysis.

In VISAKI, the team is investigating which gamification elements and avatars motivate children aged between 8 and 12 and support therapeutic goals. Through interviews with parents, requirements from everyday family life are also incorporated directly into the design.

Together, we are developing a VR solution that empowers children, complements therapy processes and facilitates the transition between the clinic and home.