title: Marketing analysis of a positive technology app for the self-management of psychological stress.
abstract: The INTERSTRESS project developed a completely new concept in the treatment of psychological stress: Interreality, a concept that combines cognitive behavioral therapy with a hybrid, closed-loop empowering experience bridging real and virtual worlds. This model provides the opportunity for individual citizens to become active participants in their own health and well-being. This article contains the results of the Marketing Trial and analysis of the opinions of individual consumers/end users of the INTERSTRESS product. The specific objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, efficacy and user acceptance of a novel mobile-based relaxation training tool in combination with biofeedback exercises and wearable biosensors. Relaxation was aided through immersion in a mobile virtual scenario (a virtual island) featuring pre-recorded audio narratives guiding a series of relaxation exercises. During biofeedback exercises, a wearable biosensor system provided data which directly modified the virtual reality experience in real-time. Thirty-six participants evaluated the product and overall feedback from users was positive, with some variation seen based on participant gender. A larger market study is now underway to understand if there are cultural variations in acceptability of the device.
authors.affiliation: Virtual Reality Medical Institute, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Brenda K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Wiederhold
authors.affiliation: Virtual Reality Medical Institute, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Chelsie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Boyd
authors.affiliation: Virtual Reality Medical Institute, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Camelia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sulea
authors.affiliation: Applied Technology for Neuro-Psychology Lab, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gaggioli
authors.affiliation: Applied Technology for Neuro-Psychology Lab, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Riva
mesh_terms: D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D063731:Mobile Applications; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000628:therapy*