Publications
Search
241.
Iyer, Arvind; Cosand, Louise; Courtney, Chris; Rizzo, Albert; Parsons, Thomas D.
Considerations for Designing Response Quantification Procedures in Non-traditional Psychophysiological Applications Journal Article
In: Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence, pp. 479–487, 2009.
@article{iyer_considerations_2009,
title = {Considerations for Designing Response Quantification Procedures in Non-traditional Psychophysiological Applications},
author = {Arvind Iyer and Louise Cosand and Chris Courtney and Albert Rizzo and Thomas D. Parsons},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/Considerations%20for%20Designing%20Response%20Quantification%20Procedures%20in%20Non-traditional%20Psychophysiological%20Applications.pdf},
year = {2009},
date = {2009-01-01},
journal = {Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence},
pages = {479–487},
abstract = {Psychophysiological assesment in the context of virtual environments is a promising means for benchmarking the efficacy and ecological validity of virtual reality scenarios. When applied to human-computer interaction, psychophysiological and affective computing approaches may increase facility for development of the next generation of human-computer systems. Such systems have the potential to use psychophysiological signals for user-feedback and adaptive responding. As the composition of investigating teams becomes diverse in keeping with interdisciplinary trends, there is a need to review defacto standards of psychophysiological respnse quantification and arrive at consensus protocols adequately addressing the concerns of basic researchers and application developers. The current paper offers a demonstration of the ways in which such consensus scoring protocols may be derived. Electromyographic eye-blink scoring from an immersion investigation is used as an illustrative case study.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Psychophysiological assesment in the context of virtual environments is a promising means for benchmarking the efficacy and ecological validity of virtual reality scenarios. When applied to human-computer interaction, psychophysiological and affective computing approaches may increase facility for development of the next generation of human-computer systems. Such systems have the potential to use psychophysiological signals for user-feedback and adaptive responding. As the composition of investigating teams becomes diverse in keeping with interdisciplinary trends, there is a need to review defacto standards of psychophysiological respnse quantification and arrive at consensus protocols adequately addressing the concerns of basic researchers and application developers. The current paper offers a demonstration of the ways in which such consensus scoring protocols may be derived. Electromyographic eye-blink scoring from an immersion investigation is used as an illustrative case study.
242.
Rizzo, Albert; Parsons, Thomas D.; Pair, Jarrell; McLay, Robert N.; Johnston, Scott; Perlman, Karen; Deal, Robert; Reger, Greg; Gahm, Greg; Roy, Michael; Shilling, Russell; Rothbaum, Barbara O.; Graap, Ken; Spitalnick, Josh; Bordnick, Patrick; Difede, JoAnn
Clinical Results from the Virtual Iraq Exposure Therapy Application for PTSD Proceedings Article
In: Proceedings of the 26th Army Science Conference, Orlando, FL, 2008.
@inproceedings{rizzo_clinical_2008,
title = {Clinical Results from the Virtual Iraq Exposure Therapy Application for PTSD},
author = {Albert Rizzo and Thomas D. Parsons and Jarrell Pair and Robert N. McLay and Scott Johnston and Karen Perlman and Robert Deal and Greg Reger and Greg Gahm and Michael Roy and Russell Shilling and Barbara O. Rothbaum and Ken Graap and Josh Spitalnick and Patrick Bordnick and JoAnn Difede},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/Clinical%20Results%20from%20the%20Virtual%20Iraq%20Esposure%20Therapy%20Application%20for%20PTSD.pdf},
year = {2008},
date = {2008-12-01},
booktitle = {Proceedings of the 26th Army Science Conference},
address = {Orlando, FL},
abstract = {Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is reported to be caused by traumatic events that are outside the range of usual human experience including (but not limited to) military combat, violent personal assault, being kidnapped or taken hostage and terrorist attacks. Initial data suggests that at least 1 out of 5 Iraq War veterans are exhibiting symptoms of depression, anxiety and PTSD. Virtual Reality (VR) delivered exposure therapy for PTSD has been previously used with reports of positive outcomes. The current paper will present the rationale and description of a VR PTSD therapy application (Virtual Iraq) and present initial findings from its use with active duty service members. Virtual Iraq consists of a series of customizable virtual scenarios designed to represent relevant Middle Eastern VR contexts for exposure therapy, including a city and desert road convoy environment. User-centered design feedback needed to iteratively evolve the system was gathered from returning Iraq War veterans in the USA and from a system deployed in Iraq and tested by an Army Combat Stress Control Team. Results from an open clinical trial using Virtual Iraq at the Naval Medical Center-San Diego with 20 treatment completers indicate that 16 no longer met PTSD diagnostic criteria at post-treatment, with only one not maintaining treatment gains at 3 month follow-up.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is reported to be caused by traumatic events that are outside the range of usual human experience including (but not limited to) military combat, violent personal assault, being kidnapped or taken hostage and terrorist attacks. Initial data suggests that at least 1 out of 5 Iraq War veterans are exhibiting symptoms of depression, anxiety and PTSD. Virtual Reality (VR) delivered exposure therapy for PTSD has been previously used with reports of positive outcomes. The current paper will present the rationale and description of a VR PTSD therapy application (Virtual Iraq) and present initial findings from its use with active duty service members. Virtual Iraq consists of a series of customizable virtual scenarios designed to represent relevant Middle Eastern VR contexts for exposure therapy, including a city and desert road convoy environment. User-centered design feedback needed to iteratively evolve the system was gathered from returning Iraq War veterans in the USA and from a system deployed in Iraq and tested by an Army Combat Stress Control Team. Results from an open clinical trial using Virtual Iraq at the Naval Medical Center-San Diego with 20 treatment completers indicate that 16 no longer met PTSD diagnostic criteria at post-treatment, with only one not maintaining treatment gains at 3 month follow-up.
243.
Pataki, Caroly; Sugar, Jeff; Kenny, Patrick G.; Parsons, Thomas D.; Rizzo, Albert; Pato, Michele; George, Cheryl St.
A Virtual Adolescent Patient with PTSD for Training Psychiatrists Proceedings Article
In: Proceedings of the 55th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Child Adolescent Psychiatry, Chicago, IL, 2008.
@inproceedings{pataki_virtual_2008,
title = {A Virtual Adolescent Patient with PTSD for Training Psychiatrists},
author = {Caroly Pataki and Jeff Sugar and Patrick G. Kenny and Thomas D. Parsons and Albert Rizzo and Michele Pato and Cheryl St. George},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/A%20Virtual%20Adolescent%20Patient%20with%20PTSD%20for%20Training%20Psychiatrists.pdf},
year = {2008},
date = {2008-10-01},
booktitle = {Proceedings of the 55th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Child Adolescent Psychiatry},
address = {Chicago, IL},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
244.
Parsons, Thomas D.; Rizzo, Albert
Virtual Human Patients for Training of Clinical Interview and Communication Skills Proceedings Article
In: Proceedings of the 2008 International Conference on Disability, Virtual Reality and Associated Technology, Maia, Portugal, 2008, ISBN: 07 049 15 00 6.
@inproceedings{parsons_virtual_2008,
title = {Virtual Human Patients for Training of Clinical Interview and Communication Skills},
author = {Thomas D. Parsons and Albert Rizzo},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/Virtual%20Human%20Patients%20for%20Training%20of%20Clinical%20Interview%20and%20Communication%20Skills.pdf},
isbn = {07 049 15 00 6},
year = {2008},
date = {2008-09-01},
booktitle = {Proceedings of the 2008 International Conference on Disability, Virtual Reality and Associated Technology},
address = {Maia, Portugal},
abstract = {Although schools commonly make use of standardized patients to teach interview skills, the diversity of the scenarios standardized patients can characterize is limited by availability of human actors. Virtual Human Agent technology has evolved to a point where esearchers may begin developing mental health applications that make use of virtual reality patients. The work presented here is a preliminary attempt at what we believe to be a large application area. Herein we describe an ongoing study of our virtual patients. We present an approach that allows novice mental health clinicians to conduct an interview with virtual character that emulates 1) an adolescent male with conduct disorder; and 2) an adolescent female who has recently been physically traumatized.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
Although schools commonly make use of standardized patients to teach interview skills, the diversity of the scenarios standardized patients can characterize is limited by availability of human actors. Virtual Human Agent technology has evolved to a point where esearchers may begin developing mental health applications that make use of virtual reality patients. The work presented here is a preliminary attempt at what we believe to be a large application area. Herein we describe an ongoing study of our virtual patients. We present an approach that allows novice mental health clinicians to conduct an interview with virtual character that emulates 1) an adolescent male with conduct disorder; and 2) an adolescent female who has recently been physically traumatized.
245.
Parsons, Thomas D.; Cosand, Louise; Courtney, Chris; Iyer, Arvind; Rizzo, Albert
Neuropsychological Assessment using the Virtual Reality Cognitive Performance Assessment Test Proceedings Article
In: Proceedings of the 2008 International Conference on Disability, Virtual Reality and Associated Technology, 2008.
@inproceedings{parsons_neuropsychological_2008,
title = {Neuropsychological Assessment using the Virtual Reality Cognitive Performance Assessment Test},
author = {Thomas D. Parsons and Louise Cosand and Chris Courtney and Arvind Iyer and Albert Rizzo},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/Neurocognitive%20Workload%20Assessment%20Using%20the%20Virtual%20Reality%20Cognitive%20Performance%20Assessment%20Test.pdf},
year = {2008},
date = {2008-09-01},
booktitle = {Proceedings of the 2008 International Conference on Disability, Virtual Reality and Associated Technology},
abstract = {The traditional approach to assessing neurocognitive performance makes use of paper and pencil neuropsychological assessments. This received approach has been criticized as limited in the area of ecological validity. The newly developed Virtual Reality Cognitive Performance Assessment Test (VRCPAT) focuses upon enhanced ecological validity using virtual environment scenarios to assess neurocognitive processing. The VRCPAT battery and a europsychological assessment were conducted with a sample of healthy adults. Findings suggest 1) good construct validity for the Memory Module; and 2) that increase in stimulus complexity and stimulus intensity can manipulate attention performance within the Attention Module.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
The traditional approach to assessing neurocognitive performance makes use of paper and pencil neuropsychological assessments. This received approach has been criticized as limited in the area of ecological validity. The newly developed Virtual Reality Cognitive Performance Assessment Test (VRCPAT) focuses upon enhanced ecological validity using virtual environment scenarios to assess neurocognitive processing. The VRCPAT battery and a europsychological assessment were conducted with a sample of healthy adults. Findings suggest 1) good construct validity for the Memory Module; and 2) that increase in stimulus complexity and stimulus intensity can manipulate attention performance within the Attention Module.
246.
Bolas, Mark; Lange, Belinda; Dallas, I.; Rizzo, Albert
Engaging breathing exercises: developing an interactive XNA-based air flow sensing and control system Proceedings Article
In: Virtual Rehabilitation, pp. 72, Vancouver, CA, 2008.
@inproceedings{bolas_engaging_2008,
title = {Engaging breathing exercises: developing an interactive XNA-based air flow sensing and control system},
author = {Mark Bolas and Belinda Lange and I. Dallas and Albert Rizzo},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/Engaging%20breathing%20exercises-%20developing%20an%20interactive%20XNA-based%20air%20flow%20sensing%20and%20control%20system.jpg},
year = {2008},
date = {2008-08-01},
booktitle = {Virtual Rehabilitation},
pages = {72},
address = {Vancouver, CA},
abstract = {The aim of this project was to make breathing exercises for children with Cystic Fibrosis fun. We developed a prototype device that uses breathing to control specifically designed video games.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
The aim of this project was to make breathing exercises for children with Cystic Fibrosis fun. We developed a prototype device that uses breathing to control specifically designed video games.
247.
Kenny, Patrick G.; Parsons, Thomas D.; Gratch, Jonathan; Rizzo, Albert
Virtual Humans for Assisted Health Care Proceedings Article
In: Pervasive Technologies for Assistive Environments (PETRA) Conference Proceedings, ACM, Athens, Greece, 2008.
@inproceedings{kenny_virtual_2008-1,
title = {Virtual Humans for Assisted Health Care},
author = {Patrick G. Kenny and Thomas D. Parsons and Jonathan Gratch and Albert Rizzo},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/Virtual%20Humans%20for%20Assisted%20Health%20Care.pdf},
year = {2008},
date = {2008-07-01},
booktitle = {Pervasive Technologies for Assistive Environments (PETRA) Conference Proceedings},
publisher = {ACM},
address = {Athens, Greece},
abstract = {There is a growing need for applications that can dynamically interact with aging populations to gather information, monitor their health care, provide information, or even act as companions. Virtual human agents or virtual characters offer a technology that can enable human users to overcome the confusing interfaces found in current human-computer interactions. These artificially intelligent virtual characters have speech recognition, natural language and vision that will allow human users to interact with their computers in a more natural way. Additionally, sensors may be used to monitor the environment for specific behaviors that can be fused into a virtual human system. As a result, the virtual human may respond to a patient or elderly person in a manner that will have a powerful affect on their living situation. This paper will describe the virtual human technology developed and some current applications that apply the technology to virtual patients for mental health diagnosis and clinician training. Additionally the paper will discuss possible ways in which the virtual humans may be utilized for assisted health care and for the integration of multi-modal input to enhance the virtual human system.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
There is a growing need for applications that can dynamically interact with aging populations to gather information, monitor their health care, provide information, or even act as companions. Virtual human agents or virtual characters offer a technology that can enable human users to overcome the confusing interfaces found in current human-computer interactions. These artificially intelligent virtual characters have speech recognition, natural language and vision that will allow human users to interact with their computers in a more natural way. Additionally, sensors may be used to monitor the environment for specific behaviors that can be fused into a virtual human system. As a result, the virtual human may respond to a patient or elderly person in a manner that will have a powerful affect on their living situation. This paper will describe the virtual human technology developed and some current applications that apply the technology to virtual patients for mental health diagnosis and clinician training. Additionally the paper will discuss possible ways in which the virtual humans may be utilized for assisted health care and for the integration of multi-modal input to enhance the virtual human system.
248.
Kenny, Patrick G.; Parsons, Thomas D.; Pataki, Caroly; Pato, Michele; George, Cheryl St.; Sugar, Jeff; Rizzo, Albert
Virtual Justina: A PTSD Virtual Patient for Clinical Classroom Training Proceedings Article
In: Annual Review of CyberTherapy and Telemedicine, pp. 113–118, 2008.
@inproceedings{kenny_virtual_2008-2,
title = {Virtual Justina: A PTSD Virtual Patient for Clinical Classroom Training},
author = {Patrick G. Kenny and Thomas D. Parsons and Caroly Pataki and Michele Pato and Cheryl St. George and Jeff Sugar and Albert Rizzo},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/Virtual%20Justina-%20A%20PTSD%20Virtual%20Patient%20for%20Clinical%20Classroom%20Training.pdf},
year = {2008},
date = {2008-06-01},
booktitle = {Annual Review of CyberTherapy and Telemedicine},
volume = {6},
pages = {113–118},
abstract = {The effects of trauma exposure manifest themselves in a wide range of symptoms: anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, fear, and various behavior problems. Effective interview skills are a core competency for the clinicians who will be working with children and adolescents exposed to trauma. The current project aims to improve child and adolescent psychiatry residents, and medical students’ interviewing skills and diagnostic acumen through practice with a female adolescent virtual human with post-traumatic stress disorder. This interaction with a virtual patient provides a context where immediate feedback can be provided regarding trainees’ interviewing skills in terms of psychiatric knowledge, sensitivity, and effectiveness. Results suggest that a virtual standardized patient can generate responses that elicit user questions relevant for PTSD categorization. We conclude with a discussion of the ways in which these capabilities allow virtual patients to serve as unique training tools whose special knowledge and reactions can be continually fed back to trainees. Our initial goal is to focus on a virtual patient with PTSD, but a similar strategy could be applied to teaching a broad variety of psychiatric diagnoses to trainees at every level from medical students, to psychiatry residents, to child and adolescent psychiatry residents.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
The effects of trauma exposure manifest themselves in a wide range of symptoms: anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, fear, and various behavior problems. Effective interview skills are a core competency for the clinicians who will be working with children and adolescents exposed to trauma. The current project aims to improve child and adolescent psychiatry residents, and medical students’ interviewing skills and diagnostic acumen through practice with a female adolescent virtual human with post-traumatic stress disorder. This interaction with a virtual patient provides a context where immediate feedback can be provided regarding trainees’ interviewing skills in terms of psychiatric knowledge, sensitivity, and effectiveness. Results suggest that a virtual standardized patient can generate responses that elicit user questions relevant for PTSD categorization. We conclude with a discussion of the ways in which these capabilities allow virtual patients to serve as unique training tools whose special knowledge and reactions can be continually fed back to trainees. Our initial goal is to focus on a virtual patient with PTSD, but a similar strategy could be applied to teaching a broad variety of psychiatric diagnoses to trainees at every level from medical students, to psychiatry residents, to child and adolescent psychiatry residents.
249.
Rizzo, Albert; Graap, Ken; Perlman, Karen; McLay, Robert N.; Rothbaum, Barbara O.; Reger, Greg; Parsons, Thomas D.; Difede, JoAnn; Pair, Jarrell
Virtual Iraq: Initial Results from a VR Exposure Therapy Application for Combat-Related PTSD Journal Article
In: Medicine Meets Virtual Reality, vol. 16, pp. 420–425, 2008.
@article{rizzo_virtual_2008,
title = {Virtual Iraq: Initial Results from a VR Exposure Therapy Application for Combat-Related PTSD},
author = {Albert Rizzo and Ken Graap and Karen Perlman and Robert N. McLay and Barbara O. Rothbaum and Greg Reger and Thomas D. Parsons and JoAnn Difede and Jarrell Pair},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/Virtual%20Iraq-%20Initial%20Results%20from%20a%20VR%20Exposure%20Therapy%20Application%20for%20Combat-Related%20PTSD.pdf},
year = {2008},
date = {2008-01-01},
journal = {Medicine Meets Virtual Reality},
volume = {16},
pages = {420–425},
abstract = {Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is reported to be caused by traumatic events that are outside the range of usual human experience including (but not limited to) military combat, violent personal assault, being kidnapped or taken hostage and terrorist attacks. Initial data suggests that at least 1 out of 6 Iraq War veterans are exhibiting symptoms of depression, anxiety and PTSD. Virtual Reality (VR) delivered exposure therapy for PTSD has been used with reports of positive outcomes. The aim of the current paper is to present the rationale and brief description of a Virtual Iraq PTSD VR therapy application and present initial findings from its use with PTSD patients. Thus far, Virtual Iraq consists of a series of customizable virtual scenarios designed to represent relevant Middle Eastern VR contexts for exposure therapy, including a city and desert road convoy environment. User-centered design feedback needed to iteratively evolve the system was gathered from returning Iraq War veterans in the USA and from a system deployed in Iraq and tested by an Army Combat Stress Control Team. Clinical trials are currently underway at Ft. Lewis, Camp Pendleton, Emory University, Weill Cornell Medical College, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, San Diego Naval Medical Center and 12 other sites.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is reported to be caused by traumatic events that are outside the range of usual human experience including (but not limited to) military combat, violent personal assault, being kidnapped or taken hostage and terrorist attacks. Initial data suggests that at least 1 out of 6 Iraq War veterans are exhibiting symptoms of depression, anxiety and PTSD. Virtual Reality (VR) delivered exposure therapy for PTSD has been used with reports of positive outcomes. The aim of the current paper is to present the rationale and brief description of a Virtual Iraq PTSD VR therapy application and present initial findings from its use with PTSD patients. Thus far, Virtual Iraq consists of a series of customizable virtual scenarios designed to represent relevant Middle Eastern VR contexts for exposure therapy, including a city and desert road convoy environment. User-centered design feedback needed to iteratively evolve the system was gathered from returning Iraq War veterans in the USA and from a system deployed in Iraq and tested by an Army Combat Stress Control Team. Clinical trials are currently underway at Ft. Lewis, Camp Pendleton, Emory University, Weill Cornell Medical College, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, San Diego Naval Medical Center and 12 other sites.
250.
Parsons, Thomas D.; Silva, Teri M.; Pair, Jarrell; Rizzo, Albert
Virtual Environment for Assessment of Neurocognitive Functioning: Virtual Reality Cognitive Performance Assessment Test Journal Article
In: Studies in Health Technology and Informatics, vol. 132, pp. 351–356, 2008.
@article{parsons_virtual_2008-1,
title = {Virtual Environment for Assessment of Neurocognitive Functioning: Virtual Reality Cognitive Performance Assessment Test},
author = {Thomas D. Parsons and Teri M. Silva and Jarrell Pair and Albert Rizzo},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/Virtual%20Environment%20for%20Assessment%20of%20Neurocognitive%20Functioning-%20Virtual%20Reality%20Cognitive%20Performance%20Assessment%20Test.pdf},
year = {2008},
date = {2008-01-01},
journal = {Studies in Health Technology and Informatics},
volume = {132},
pages = {351–356},
abstract = {While standard neuropsychological measures have been found to have adequate predictive value, their ecological validity may diminish predictions about real world functioning. Virtual environments (VEs) are increasingly recognized as ecologically valid tools for neuropsychological assessment. We aim to develop a VE-based neuropsychological battery delivered within the context of a virtual city: Virtual Reality Cognitive Performance Assessment Test (VRCPAT). The 15 minute VRCPAT battery and 1.5 hour in-person neuropsychological assessment were conducted with a sample of 40 healthy adults, between the ages of 21 and 36, that included equivalent distributions of men and women from ethnically diverse populations. No subjects had history of psychiatric or neurologic conditions. Results supported both convergent and discriminant validity. The VRCPAT was found to correlate significantly with traditional neuropsychological tests assessing similar target constructs. No significant correlations existed between VRCPAT measures and non-target constructs. Findings suggest that the VRCPAT measures a capacity consistent with that of traditional neurocognitive measures; and is inconsistent with potential confounds. We conclude that the VRCPAT provides a unique opportunity to reliably and efficiently study neurocognitive function within an ecologically valid environment.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
While standard neuropsychological measures have been found to have adequate predictive value, their ecological validity may diminish predictions about real world functioning. Virtual environments (VEs) are increasingly recognized as ecologically valid tools for neuropsychological assessment. We aim to develop a VE-based neuropsychological battery delivered within the context of a virtual city: Virtual Reality Cognitive Performance Assessment Test (VRCPAT). The 15 minute VRCPAT battery and 1.5 hour in-person neuropsychological assessment were conducted with a sample of 40 healthy adults, between the ages of 21 and 36, that included equivalent distributions of men and women from ethnically diverse populations. No subjects had history of psychiatric or neurologic conditions. Results supported both convergent and discriminant validity. The VRCPAT was found to correlate significantly with traditional neuropsychological tests assessing similar target constructs. No significant correlations existed between VRCPAT measures and non-target constructs. Findings suggest that the VRCPAT measures a capacity consistent with that of traditional neurocognitive measures; and is inconsistent with potential confounds. We conclude that the VRCPAT provides a unique opportunity to reliably and efficiently study neurocognitive function within an ecologically valid environment.
251.
Parsons, Thomas D.; Kenny, Patrick G.; Ntuen, Celestine A.; Pataki, Caroly; Pato, Michele; Rizzo, Albert; George, Cheryl St.; Sugar, Jeff
Objective Structured Clinical Interview Training using a Virtual Human Patient Journal Article
In: Medicine Meets Virtual Reality, vol. 16, 2008.
@article{parsons_objective_2008,
title = {Objective Structured Clinical Interview Training using a Virtual Human Patient},
author = {Thomas D. Parsons and Patrick G. Kenny and Celestine A. Ntuen and Caroly Pataki and Michele Pato and Albert Rizzo and Cheryl St. George and Jeff Sugar},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/Objective%20Structured%20Clinical%20Interview%20Training%20using%20a%20Virtual%20Human%20Patient.pdf},
year = {2008},
date = {2008-01-01},
journal = {Medicine Meets Virtual Reality},
volume = {16},
abstract = {Effective interview skills are a core competency for psychiatry residents and developing psychotherapists. Although schools commonly make use of standardized patients to teach interview skills, the diversity of the scenarios standardized patients can characterize is limited by availability of human actors. Further, there is the economic concern related to the time and money needed to train standardized patients. Perhaps most damaging is the "standardization" of standardized patients–will they in fact consistently proffer psychometrically reliable and valid interactions with the training clinicians. Virtual Human Agent (VHA) technology has evolved to a point where researchers may begin developing mental health applications that make use of virtual reality patients. The work presented here is a preliminary attempt at what we believe to be a large application area. Herein we describe an ongoing study of our virtual patients (VP). We present an approach that allows novice mental health clinicians to conduct an interview with a virtual character that emulates an adolescent male with conduct disorder. This study illustrates the ways in which a variety of core research components developed at the University of Southern California facilitates the rapid development of mental health applications.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Effective interview skills are a core competency for psychiatry residents and developing psychotherapists. Although schools commonly make use of standardized patients to teach interview skills, the diversity of the scenarios standardized patients can characterize is limited by availability of human actors. Further, there is the economic concern related to the time and money needed to train standardized patients. Perhaps most damaging is the "standardization" of standardized patients–will they in fact consistently proffer psychometrically reliable and valid interactions with the training clinicians. Virtual Human Agent (VHA) technology has evolved to a point where researchers may begin developing mental health applications that make use of virtual reality patients. The work presented here is a preliminary attempt at what we believe to be a large application area. Herein we describe an ongoing study of our virtual patients (VP). We present an approach that allows novice mental health clinicians to conduct an interview with a virtual character that emulates an adolescent male with conduct disorder. This study illustrates the ways in which a variety of core research components developed at the University of Southern California facilitates the rapid development of mental health applications.
252.
Kenny, Patrick G.; Parsons, Thomas D.; Reger, Greg; Pataki, Caroly; Pato, Michele; Sugar, Jeff; George, Cheryl St.
Virtual Patients for Future Leaders Proceedings Article
In: Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC), 2008.
@inproceedings{kenny_virtual_2008,
title = {Virtual Patients for Future Leaders},
author = {Patrick G. Kenny and Thomas D. Parsons and Greg Reger and Caroly Pataki and Michele Pato and Jeff Sugar and Cheryl St. George},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/Virtual%20Patients%20for%20Future%20Leaders.pdf},
year = {2008},
date = {2008-01-01},
booktitle = {Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC)},
abstract = {War is one of the most challenging environments that persons may experience. The cognitive, emotional and physical demands of combat environments place enormous stress on even the best-prepared military personnel. The OIF/OEF combat theatre, with its ubiquitous battlefronts, ambiguous enemy identification, and repeated extended deployments have resulted in a significant number of returning American SMs with PTSD and other mental disorders. As a result, military leaders and clinicians in training need to develop clinical skills for identifying potential stress related disorders. Although traditional approaches make use of standard clinic patients to teach, there is limited ability to evaluate skills in a systematic fashion. There is the concern related to the time and money needed to train those involved in the role play for standardized patients. Perhaps most difficult is the "standardization" of standardized patients – will they in fact consistently proffer psychometrically reliable and valid interactions with the training clinicians. Virtual Human technology has evolved to a point where researchers are developing mental health applications that make use of virtual standardized patients. These virtual patients are embodied characters that have the ability to recognize speech, respond to questions and generate verbal and non-verbal behavior. We have conducted several pilot studies with clinical residents at USC’s Keck School of Medicine and will describe the ongoing study and methodology of our virtual patient approach that allows novice mental health clinicians to conduct an interview with a character emulating PTSD. The paper will summarize the data from the studies and discuss the preliminary standardization of the interactions with the virtual patients. The underlying virtual patient technology will be described. Finally future work will be discussed and recommendations related to the ways in which these characters may enable future leaders to learn, train and win.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
War is one of the most challenging environments that persons may experience. The cognitive, emotional and physical demands of combat environments place enormous stress on even the best-prepared military personnel. The OIF/OEF combat theatre, with its ubiquitous battlefronts, ambiguous enemy identification, and repeated extended deployments have resulted in a significant number of returning American SMs with PTSD and other mental disorders. As a result, military leaders and clinicians in training need to develop clinical skills for identifying potential stress related disorders. Although traditional approaches make use of standard clinic patients to teach, there is limited ability to evaluate skills in a systematic fashion. There is the concern related to the time and money needed to train those involved in the role play for standardized patients. Perhaps most difficult is the "standardization" of standardized patients – will they in fact consistently proffer psychometrically reliable and valid interactions with the training clinicians. Virtual Human technology has evolved to a point where researchers are developing mental health applications that make use of virtual standardized patients. These virtual patients are embodied characters that have the ability to recognize speech, respond to questions and generate verbal and non-verbal behavior. We have conducted several pilot studies with clinical residents at USC’s Keck School of Medicine and will describe the ongoing study and methodology of our virtual patient approach that allows novice mental health clinicians to conduct an interview with a character emulating PTSD. The paper will summarize the data from the studies and discuss the preliminary standardization of the interactions with the virtual patients. The underlying virtual patient technology will be described. Finally future work will be discussed and recommendations related to the ways in which these characters may enable future leaders to learn, train and win.
253.
Parsons, Thomas D.; Rizzo, Albert
Initial Validation of a Virtual Environment for Assessment of Memory Functioning: Virtual Reality Cognitive Performance Assessment Test Journal Article
In: CyberPsychology and Behavior, vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 16–24, 2008.
@article{parsons_initial_2008,
title = {Initial Validation of a Virtual Environment for Assessment of Memory Functioning: Virtual Reality Cognitive Performance Assessment Test},
author = {Thomas D. Parsons and Albert Rizzo},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/Initial%20Validation%20of%20a%20Virtual%20Environment%20for%20Assessment%20of%20Memory%20Functioning-%20Virtual%20Reality%20Cognitive%20Performance%20Assessment%20Test.pdf},
year = {2008},
date = {2008-01-01},
journal = {CyberPsychology and Behavior},
volume = {11},
number = {1},
pages = {16–24},
abstract = {The current project is an initial attempt at validating the Virtual Reality Cognitive Performance Assessment Test (VRCPAT), a virtual environment–based measure of learning and memory. To examine convergent and discriminant validity, a multitrait–multimethod matrix was used in which we hypothesized that the VRCPAT’s total learning and memory scores would correlate with other neuropsychological measures involving learning and memory but not with measures involving potential confounds (i.e., executive functions; attention; processing speed; and verbal fluency). Using a sequential hierarchical strategy, each stage of test development did not proceed until specified criteria were met. The 15-minute VRCPAT battery and a 1.5-hour in-person neuropsychological assessment were conducted with a sample of 30 healthy adults, between the ages of 21 and 36, that included equivalent distributions of men and women from ethnically diverse populations. Results supported both convergent and discriminant validity. That is, findings suggest that the VRCPAT measures a capacity that is (a) consistent with that assessed by traditional paper-and-pencil measures involving learning and memory and (b) inconsistent with that assessed by traditional paper-and-pencil measures assessing neurocognitive domains traditionally assumed to be other than learning and memory. We conclude that the VRCPAT is a valid test that provides a unique opportunity to reliably and efficiently study memory function within an ecologically valid environment.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The current project is an initial attempt at validating the Virtual Reality Cognitive Performance Assessment Test (VRCPAT), a virtual environment–based measure of learning and memory. To examine convergent and discriminant validity, a multitrait–multimethod matrix was used in which we hypothesized that the VRCPAT’s total learning and memory scores would correlate with other neuropsychological measures involving learning and memory but not with measures involving potential confounds (i.e., executive functions; attention; processing speed; and verbal fluency). Using a sequential hierarchical strategy, each stage of test development did not proceed until specified criteria were met. The 15-minute VRCPAT battery and a 1.5-hour in-person neuropsychological assessment were conducted with a sample of 30 healthy adults, between the ages of 21 and 36, that included equivalent distributions of men and women from ethnically diverse populations. Results supported both convergent and discriminant validity. That is, findings suggest that the VRCPAT measures a capacity that is (a) consistent with that assessed by traditional paper-and-pencil measures involving learning and memory and (b) inconsistent with that assessed by traditional paper-and-pencil measures assessing neurocognitive domains traditionally assumed to be other than learning and memory. We conclude that the VRCPAT is a valid test that provides a unique opportunity to reliably and efficiently study memory function within an ecologically valid environment.
254.
Parsons, Thomas D.; Rizzo, Albert
Affective Outcomes of Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for Anxiety and Specific Phobias: A meta-analysis Journal Article
In: Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, vol. 39, pp. 250–261, 2008.
@article{parsons_affective_2008,
title = {Affective Outcomes of Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for Anxiety and Specific Phobias: A meta-analysis},
author = {Thomas D. Parsons and Albert Rizzo},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/Affective%20outcomes%20of%20virtual%20reality%20exposure%20therapy%20for%20anxiety%20and%20specific%20phobias-%20A%20meta-analysis.pdf},
year = {2008},
date = {2008-01-01},
journal = {Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry},
volume = {39},
pages = {250–261},
abstract = {Virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) is an increasingly common treatment for anxiety and specific phobias. Lacking is a quantitative meta-analysis that enhances understanding of the variability and clinical significance of anxiety reduction outcomes after VRET. Searches of electronic databases yielded 52 studies, and of these, 21 studies (300 subjects) met inclusion criteria. Although meta-analysis revealed large declines in anxiety symptoms following VRET, moderator analyses were limited due to inconsistent reporting in the VRET literature. This highlights the need for future research studies that report uniform and detailed information regarding presence, immersion, anxiety and/or phobia duration, and demographics.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) is an increasingly common treatment for anxiety and specific phobias. Lacking is a quantitative meta-analysis that enhances understanding of the variability and clinical significance of anxiety reduction outcomes after VRET. Searches of electronic databases yielded 52 studies, and of these, 21 studies (300 subjects) met inclusion criteria. Although meta-analysis revealed large declines in anxiety symptoms following VRET, moderator analyses were limited due to inconsistent reporting in the VRET literature. This highlights the need for future research studies that report uniform and detailed information regarding presence, immersion, anxiety and/or phobia duration, and demographics.
255.
Kenny, Patrick G.; Parsons, Thomas D.; Gratch, Jonathan; Rizzo, Albert
Evaluation of Justina: A Virtual Patient with PTSD Proceedings Article
In: Lecture Notes in Computer Science, pp. 394–408, 2008.
@inproceedings{kenny_evaluation_2008,
title = {Evaluation of Justina: A Virtual Patient with PTSD},
author = {Patrick G. Kenny and Thomas D. Parsons and Jonathan Gratch and Albert Rizzo},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/Evaluation%20of%20Justina-%20A%20Virtual%20Patient%20with%20PTSD.pdf},
year = {2008},
date = {2008-01-01},
booktitle = {Lecture Notes in Computer Science},
pages = {394–408},
abstract = {Recent research has established the potential for virtual characters to act as virtual standardized patients VP for the assessment and training of novice clinicians. We hypothesize that the responses of a VP simulating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in an adolescent female could elicit a number of diagnostic mental health specific questions (from novice clinicians) that are necessary for differential diagnosis of the condition. Composites were developed to reflect the relation between novice clinician questions and VP responses. The primary goal in this study was evaluative: can a VP generate responses that elicit user questions relevant for PTSD categorization? A secondary goal was to investigate the impact of psychological variables upon the resulting VP Question/Response composites and the overall believability of the system.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
Recent research has established the potential for virtual characters to act as virtual standardized patients VP for the assessment and training of novice clinicians. We hypothesize that the responses of a VP simulating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in an adolescent female could elicit a number of diagnostic mental health specific questions (from novice clinicians) that are necessary for differential diagnosis of the condition. Composites were developed to reflect the relation between novice clinician questions and VP responses. The primary goal in this study was evaluative: can a VP generate responses that elicit user questions relevant for PTSD categorization? A secondary goal was to investigate the impact of psychological variables upon the resulting VP Question/Response composites and the overall believability of the system.
256.
Parsons, Thomas D.; Rizzo, Albert
Neuropsychological Assessment of Attentional Processing using Virtual Reality Journal Article
In: Annual Review of CyberTherapy and Telemedicine, vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 23–28, 2008.
@article{parsons_neuropsychological_2008-1,
title = {Neuropsychological Assessment of Attentional Processing using Virtual Reality},
author = {Thomas D. Parsons and Albert Rizzo},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/Neuropsychological%20Assessment%20of%20Attentional%20Processing%20using%20Virtual%20Reality.pdf},
year = {2008},
date = {2008-01-01},
journal = {Annual Review of CyberTherapy and Telemedicine},
volume = {6},
number = {1},
pages = {23–28},
abstract = {Attention processes are the gateway to information acquisition and serve as a necessary foundation for higher-level cognitive functioning. The Virtual Reality Cognitive Performance Assessment Test (VRCPAT) focuses upon refined analysis of neurocognitive testing using a virtual environment to assess attentional processing and recall of targets delivered within the context of a virtual city and a virtual driving simulation. The 15 minute VRCPAT Attention Module and a 1.5 hour neuropsychological assessment were conducted with a sample of 12 healthy adults, between the ages of 21 and 36, that included equivalent distributions of men and women from ethnically diverse populations. No subjects had history of psychiatric or neurologic conditions. To examine scenario differences, one-way ANOVAs were performed, comparing attentional performance in simple stimulus presentations (Mean = 43.63; SD = 8.91) versus complex stimulus presentations (Mean = 34.63; SD = 6.86). The results indicated that the increase in stimulus complexity caused a significant decrease in performance on attentional tasks (F = 5.12; p = 0.04). To examine scenario differences, we compared attentional performance in low intensity (Mean = 40.01; SD = 4.06) versus high intensity (Mean = 9.25; SD = 3.70) presentations. The results indicated that the increase in stimulus intensity caused a significant decrease in performance on attentional tasks (t = 9.83; p = 0.01). Findings suggest that the increase in stimulus complexity and stimulus intensity within a virtual environment can manipulate performance on attentional tasks.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Attention processes are the gateway to information acquisition and serve as a necessary foundation for higher-level cognitive functioning. The Virtual Reality Cognitive Performance Assessment Test (VRCPAT) focuses upon refined analysis of neurocognitive testing using a virtual environment to assess attentional processing and recall of targets delivered within the context of a virtual city and a virtual driving simulation. The 15 minute VRCPAT Attention Module and a 1.5 hour neuropsychological assessment were conducted with a sample of 12 healthy adults, between the ages of 21 and 36, that included equivalent distributions of men and women from ethnically diverse populations. No subjects had history of psychiatric or neurologic conditions. To examine scenario differences, one-way ANOVAs were performed, comparing attentional performance in simple stimulus presentations (Mean = 43.63; SD = 8.91) versus complex stimulus presentations (Mean = 34.63; SD = 6.86). The results indicated that the increase in stimulus complexity caused a significant decrease in performance on attentional tasks (F = 5.12; p = 0.04). To examine scenario differences, we compared attentional performance in low intensity (Mean = 40.01; SD = 4.06) versus high intensity (Mean = 9.25; SD = 3.70) presentations. The results indicated that the increase in stimulus intensity caused a significant decrease in performance on attentional tasks (t = 9.83; p = 0.01). Findings suggest that the increase in stimulus complexity and stimulus intensity within a virtual environment can manipulate performance on attentional tasks.
257.
Kenny, Patrick G.; Hartholt, Arno; Gratch, Jonathan; Swartout, William; Traum, David; Marsella, Stacy C.; Piepol, Diane
Building Interactive Virtual Humans for Training Environments Proceedings Article
In: Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC), Orlando, FL, 2007.
@inproceedings{kenny_building_2007,
title = {Building Interactive Virtual Humans for Training Environments},
author = {Patrick G. Kenny and Arno Hartholt and Jonathan Gratch and William Swartout and David Traum and Stacy C. Marsella and Diane Piepol},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/Building%20Interactive%20Virtual%20Humans%20for%20Training%20Environments.pdf},
year = {2007},
date = {2007-11-01},
booktitle = {Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC)},
address = {Orlando, FL},
abstract = {There is a great need in the Joint Forces to have human to human interpersonal training for skills such as negotiation, leadership, interviewing and cultural training. Virtual environments can be incredible training tools if used properly and used for the correct training application. Virtual environments have already been very successful in training Warfighters how to operate vehicles and weapons systems. At the Institute for Creative Technologies (ICT) we have been exploring a new question: can virtual environments be used to train Warfighters in interpersonal skills such as negotiation, tactical questioning and leadership that are so critical for success in the contemporary operating environment? Using embodied conversational agents to create this type of training system has been one of the goals of the Virtual Humans project at the institute. ICT has a great deal of experience building complex, integrated and immersive training systems that address the human factor needs for training experiences. This paper will address the research, technology and value of developing virtual humans for training environments. This research includes speech recognition, natural language understanding & generation, dialogue management, cognitive agents, emotion modeling, question response managers, speech generation and non-verbal behavior. Also addressed will be the diverse set of training environments we have developed for the system, from single computer laptops to multi-computer immersive displays to real and virtual integrated environments. This paper will also discuss the problems, issues and solutions we encountered while building these systems. The paper will recount subject testing we have performed in these environments and results we have obtained from users. Finally the future of this type of Virtual Humans technology and training applications will be discussed.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
There is a great need in the Joint Forces to have human to human interpersonal training for skills such as negotiation, leadership, interviewing and cultural training. Virtual environments can be incredible training tools if used properly and used for the correct training application. Virtual environments have already been very successful in training Warfighters how to operate vehicles and weapons systems. At the Institute for Creative Technologies (ICT) we have been exploring a new question: can virtual environments be used to train Warfighters in interpersonal skills such as negotiation, tactical questioning and leadership that are so critical for success in the contemporary operating environment? Using embodied conversational agents to create this type of training system has been one of the goals of the Virtual Humans project at the institute. ICT has a great deal of experience building complex, integrated and immersive training systems that address the human factor needs for training experiences. This paper will address the research, technology and value of developing virtual humans for training environments. This research includes speech recognition, natural language understanding & generation, dialogue management, cognitive agents, emotion modeling, question response managers, speech generation and non-verbal behavior. Also addressed will be the diverse set of training environments we have developed for the system, from single computer laptops to multi-computer immersive displays to real and virtual integrated environments. This paper will also discuss the problems, issues and solutions we encountered while building these systems. The paper will recount subject testing we have performed in these environments and results we have obtained from users. Finally the future of this type of Virtual Humans technology and training applications will be discussed.
258.
Kenny, Patrick G.; Hartholt, Arno; Gratch, Jonathan; Traum, David; Marsella, Stacy C.; Swartout, William
The More the Merrier: Multi-Party Negotiation with Virtual Humans Proceedings Article
In: AAAI Conference On Artificial Intelligence; Proceedings of the 22nd National Conference on Artificial Intelligence, pp. 1970–1971, 2007.
@inproceedings{kenny_more_2007,
title = {The More the Merrier: Multi-Party Negotiation with Virtual Humans},
author = {Patrick G. Kenny and Arno Hartholt and Jonathan Gratch and David Traum and Stacy C. Marsella and William Swartout},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/The%20More%20the%20Merrier-%20Multi-Party%20Negotiation%20with%20Virtual%20Humans.pdf},
year = {2007},
date = {2007-07-01},
booktitle = {AAAI Conference On Artificial Intelligence; Proceedings of the 22nd National Conference on Artificial Intelligence},
volume = {2},
pages = {1970–1971},
abstract = {The goal of the Virtual Humans Project at the University of Southern California�s Institute for Creative Technologies is to enrich virtual training environments with virtual humans � autonomous agents that support face-to-face interaction with trainees in a variety of roles � through bringing together many different areas of research including speech recognition, natural language understanding, dialogue management, cognitive modeling, emotion modeling, non-verbal behavior and speech and knowledge management. The demo at AAAI will focus on our work using virtual humans to train negotiation skills. Conference attendees will negotiate with a virtual human doctor and elder to try to move a clinic out of harm�s way in single and multi-party negotiation scenarios using the latest iteration of our Virtual Humans framework. The user will use natural speech to talk to the embodied agents, who will respond in accordance with their internal task model and state. The characters will carry out a multi-party dialogue with verbal and non-verbal behavior. A video of a single-party version of the scenario was shown at AAAI-06. This new interactive demo introduces several new features, including multi-party negotiation, dynamically generated non-verbal behavior and a central ontology.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
The goal of the Virtual Humans Project at the University of Southern California�s Institute for Creative Technologies is to enrich virtual training environments with virtual humans � autonomous agents that support face-to-face interaction with trainees in a variety of roles � through bringing together many different areas of research including speech recognition, natural language understanding, dialogue management, cognitive modeling, emotion modeling, non-verbal behavior and speech and knowledge management. The demo at AAAI will focus on our work using virtual humans to train negotiation skills. Conference attendees will negotiate with a virtual human doctor and elder to try to move a clinic out of harm�s way in single and multi-party negotiation scenarios using the latest iteration of our Virtual Humans framework. The user will use natural speech to talk to the embodied agents, who will respond in accordance with their internal task model and state. The characters will carry out a multi-party dialogue with verbal and non-verbal behavior. A video of a single-party version of the scenario was shown at AAAI-06. This new interactive demo introduces several new features, including multi-party negotiation, dynamically generated non-verbal behavior and a central ontology.
259.
Kenny, Patrick G.; Rizzo, Albert; Parsons, Thomas D.; Gratch, Jonathan; Swartout, William
A Virtual Human Agent for Training Novice Therapist Clinical Interviewing Skills Proceedings Article
In: Annual Review of CyberTherapy and Telemedicine, Washington D.C., 2007.
@inproceedings{kenny_virtual_2007,
title = {A Virtual Human Agent for Training Novice Therapist Clinical Interviewing Skills},
author = {Patrick G. Kenny and Albert Rizzo and Thomas D. Parsons and Jonathan Gratch and William Swartout},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/A%20Virtual%20Human%20Agent%20for%20Training%20Novice%20Therapist%20Clinical%20Interviewing%20Skills.pdf},
year = {2007},
date = {2007-06-01},
booktitle = {Annual Review of CyberTherapy and Telemedicine},
address = {Washington D.C.},
abstract = {Virtual Reality (VR) is rapidly evolving into a pragmatically usable technology for mental health (MH) applications. Over the last five years, the technology for creating virtual humans (VHs) has evolved to the point where they are no longer regarded as simple background characters, but rather can serve a functional interactional role. Our current project involves the construction of a natural language-capable virtual client named “Justin,” which derived from a military negotiation train- ing tool into a virtual therapy patient for training novice clinicians the art of clinical interviewing with a resistant client. Justin portrays a 16-year old male with a conduct disorder who is being forced to par- ticipate in therapy by his family. The system uses a sophisticated natural language interface that al- lows novice clinicians to practice asking interview questions in an effort to create a positive therapeu- tic alliance with this very challenging virtual client. Herein we proffer a description of our iterative de- sign process and outline our long term vision.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
Virtual Reality (VR) is rapidly evolving into a pragmatically usable technology for mental health (MH) applications. Over the last five years, the technology for creating virtual humans (VHs) has evolved to the point where they are no longer regarded as simple background characters, but rather can serve a functional interactional role. Our current project involves the construction of a natural language-capable virtual client named “Justin,” which derived from a military negotiation train- ing tool into a virtual therapy patient for training novice clinicians the art of clinical interviewing with a resistant client. Justin portrays a 16-year old male with a conduct disorder who is being forced to par- ticipate in therapy by his family. The system uses a sophisticated natural language interface that al- lows novice clinicians to practice asking interview questions in an effort to create a positive therapeu- tic alliance with this very challenging virtual client. Herein we proffer a description of our iterative de- sign process and outline our long term vision.
260.
Crooks, Valerie C.; Parsons, Thomas D.; Buckwalter, John Galen
Validation of the Cognitive Assessment of Later Life Status (CALLS) instrument: a computerized telephonic measure Journal Article
In: BMC Neurology, vol. 7, no. 10, 2007.
@article{crooks_validation_2007,
title = {Validation of the Cognitive Assessment of Later Life Status (CALLS) instrument: a computerized telephonic measure},
author = {Valerie C. Crooks and Thomas D. Parsons and John Galen Buckwalter},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/Validation%20of%20the%20Cognitive%20Assessment%20of%20Later%20Life%20Status%20(CALLS)%20instrument-%20a%20computerized%20telephonic%20measure.pdf},
doi = {10.1186/1471-2377-7-10},
year = {2007},
date = {2007-05-01},
journal = {BMC Neurology},
volume = {7},
number = {10},
abstract = {Background: Brief screening tests have been developed to measure cognitive performance and dementia, yet they measure limited cognitive domains and often lack construct validity. Neuropsychological assessments, while comprehensive, are too costly and time-consuming for epidemiological studies. This study's aim was to develop a psychometrically valid telephone administered test of cognitive function in aging. Methods: Using a sequential hierarchical strategy, each stage of test development did not proceed until specified criteria were met. The 30 minute Cognitive Assessment of Later Life Status (CALLS) measure and a 2.5 hour in-person neuropsychological assessment were conducted with a randomly selected sample of 211 participants 65 years and older that included equivalent distributions of men and women from ethnically diverse populations. Results: Overall Cronbach's coefficient alpha for the CALLS test was 0.81. A principal component analysis of the CALLS tests yielded five components. The CALLS total score was significantly correlated with four neuropsychological assessment components. Older age and having a high school education or less was significantly correlated with lower CALLS total scores. Females scored better overall than males. There were no score differences based on race. Conclusion: The CALLS test is a valid measure that provides a unique opportunity to reliably and efficiently study cognitive function in large populations.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Background: Brief screening tests have been developed to measure cognitive performance and dementia, yet they measure limited cognitive domains and often lack construct validity. Neuropsychological assessments, while comprehensive, are too costly and time-consuming for epidemiological studies. This study's aim was to develop a psychometrically valid telephone administered test of cognitive function in aging. Methods: Using a sequential hierarchical strategy, each stage of test development did not proceed until specified criteria were met. The 30 minute Cognitive Assessment of Later Life Status (CALLS) measure and a 2.5 hour in-person neuropsychological assessment were conducted with a randomly selected sample of 211 participants 65 years and older that included equivalent distributions of men and women from ethnically diverse populations. Results: Overall Cronbach's coefficient alpha for the CALLS test was 0.81. A principal component analysis of the CALLS tests yielded five components. The CALLS total score was significantly correlated with four neuropsychological assessment components. Older age and having a high school education or less was significantly correlated with lower CALLS total scores. Females scored better overall than males. There were no score differences based on race. Conclusion: The CALLS test is a valid measure that provides a unique opportunity to reliably and efficiently study cognitive function in large populations.
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