The Feasibility and Impact of Delivering a Mind-Body Intervention in a Virtual World

The Feasibility and Impact of Delivering a Mind-Body Intervention in a Virtual World

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The Feasibility and Impact of Delivering a Mind-Body Intervention in a Virtual World

dc.contributor.author	Linton, Deborah A.
dc.contributor.author	Bello, Heather E.
dc.contributor.author	Senelly, Marco
dc.contributor.author	Milik, Mariola T.
dc.contributor.author	Baim, Margaret A.
dc.contributor.author	Hoch, Daniel B.
dc.contributor.author	Watson, Alice Joan
dc.contributor.author	Jethwani, Kamal Shanker
dc.contributor.author	Fricchione, Gregory Lewis
dc.contributor.author	Benson, Herbert
dc.contributor.author	Kvedar, Joseph Charles
dc.date.accessioned	2012-10-22T17:33:24Z
dc.date.issued	2012
dc.identifier.citation	Hoch, Daniel B., Alice J. Watson, Deborah A. Linton, Heather E. Bello, Marco Senelly, Mariola T. Milik, Margaret A. Baim, et al. 2012. The feasibility and impact of delivering a mind-body intervention in a virtual world. PLoS ONE 7(3): e33843.	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	1932-6203	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:9793864
dc.description.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.	en_US
dc.language.iso	en_US	en_US
dc.publisher	Public Library of Science	en_US
dc.relation.isversionof	doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0033843	en_US
dc.relation.hasversion	http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3314673/pdf/	en_US
dash.license	LAA
dc.subject	computer science	en_US
dc.subject	computer applications	en_US
dc.subject	engineering	en_US
dc.subject	medicine	en_US
dc.subject	complementary and alternative medicine	en_US
dc.subject	mental health	en_US
dc.subject	psychology	en_US
dc.subject	non-clinical medicine	en_US
dc.subject	social and behavioral sciences	en_US
dc.title	The Feasibility and Impact of Delivering a Mind-Body Intervention in a Virtual World	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article	en_US
dc.description.version	Version of Record	en_US
dc.relation.journal	PLoS ONE	en_US
dash.depositing.author	Hoch, Daniel B.
dc.date.available	2012-10-22T17:33:24Z