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121.
Scherer, Stefan; Lucas, Gale M.; Gratch, Jonathan; Rizzo, Albert Skip; Morency, Louis-Philippe
Self-reported symptoms of depression and PTSD are associated with reduced vowel space in screening interviews Journal Article
In: IEEE Transactions on Affective Computing, vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 59–73, 2016, ISSN: 1949-3045.
@article{scherer_self-reported_2016,
title = {Self-reported symptoms of depression and PTSD are associated with reduced vowel space in screening interviews},
author = {Stefan Scherer and Gale M. Lucas and Jonathan Gratch and Albert Skip Rizzo and Louis-Philippe Morency},
url = {http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/7117386/?arnumber=7117386},
doi = {10.1109/TAFFC.2015.2440264},
issn = {1949-3045},
year = {2016},
date = {2016-01-01},
journal = {IEEE Transactions on Affective Computing},
volume = {7},
number = {1},
pages = {59–73},
abstract = {Reduced frequency range in vowel production is a well documented speech characteristic of individuals’ with psychological and neurological disorders. Affective disorders such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are known to influence motor control and in particular speech production. The assessment and documentation of reduced vowel space and reduced expressivity often either rely on subjective assessments or on analysis of speech under constrained laboratory conditions (e.g.sustained vowel production, reading tasks). These constraints render the analysis of such measures expensive and impractical. Within this work, we investigate an automatic unsupervised machine learning based approach to assess a speaker’s vowel space. Our experiments are based on recordings of 253 individuals. Symptoms of depression and PTSD are assessed using standard self-assessment questionnaires and their cut-off scores. The experiments show a significantly reduced vowel space in subjects that scored positively on the questionnaires. We show the measure’s statistical robustness against varying demographics of individuals and articulation rate. The reduced vowel space for subjects with symptoms of depression can be explained by the common condition of psychomotor retardation influencing articulation and motor control. These findings could potentially support treatment of affective disorders, like depression and PTSD in the future.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Reduced frequency range in vowel production is a well documented speech characteristic of individuals’ with psychological and neurological disorders. Affective disorders such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are known to influence motor control and in particular speech production. The assessment and documentation of reduced vowel space and reduced expressivity often either rely on subjective assessments or on analysis of speech under constrained laboratory conditions (e.g.sustained vowel production, reading tasks). These constraints render the analysis of such measures expensive and impractical. Within this work, we investigate an automatic unsupervised machine learning based approach to assess a speaker’s vowel space. Our experiments are based on recordings of 253 individuals. Symptoms of depression and PTSD are assessed using standard self-assessment questionnaires and their cut-off scores. The experiments show a significantly reduced vowel space in subjects that scored positively on the questionnaires. We show the measure’s statistical robustness against varying demographics of individuals and articulation rate. The reduced vowel space for subjects with symptoms of depression can be explained by the common condition of psychomotor retardation influencing articulation and motor control. These findings could potentially support treatment of affective disorders, like depression and PTSD in the future.
122.
Venek, Verena; Scherer, Stefan; Morency, Louis-Philippe; Rizzo, Albert; Pestian, John
Adolescent Suicidal Risk Assessment in Clinician-Patient Interaction Journal Article
In: IEEE Transactions on Affective Computing, vol. PP, no. 99, 2016, ISSN: 1949-3045.
@article{venek_adolescent_2016,
title = {Adolescent Suicidal Risk Assessment in Clinician-Patient Interaction},
author = {Verena Venek and Stefan Scherer and Louis-Philippe Morency and Albert Rizzo and John Pestian},
url = {http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpls/abs_all.jsp?arnumber=7384418},
doi = {10.1109/TAFFC.2016.2518665},
issn = {1949-3045},
year = {2016},
date = {2016-01-01},
journal = {IEEE Transactions on Affective Computing},
volume = {PP},
number = {99},
abstract = {Youth suicide is a major public health problem. It is the third leading cause of death in the United States for ages 13 through 18. Many adolescents that face suicidal thoughts or make a suicide plan never seek professional care or help. Within this work, we evaluate both verbal and nonverbal responses to a five-item ubiquitous questionnaire to identify and assess suicidal risk of adolescents. We utilize a machine learning approach to identify suicidal from non-suicidal speech as well as characterize adolescents that repeatedly attempted suicide in the past. Our findings investigate both verbal and nonverbal behavior information of the face-to-face clinician-patient interaction. We investigate 60 audio-recorded dyadic clinician-patient interviews of 30 suicidal (13 repeaters and 17 non-repeaters) and 30 non-suicidal adolescents. The interaction between clinician and adolescents is statistically analyzed to reveal differences between suicidal vs. non-suicidal adolescents and to investigate suicidal repeaters’ behaviors in comparison to suicidal non-repeaters. By using a hierarchical classifier we were able to show that the verbal responses to the ubiquitous questions sections of the interviews were useful to discriminate suicidal and non-suicidal patients. However, to additionally classify suicidal repeaters and suicidal non-repeaters more information especially nonverbal information is required.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Youth suicide is a major public health problem. It is the third leading cause of death in the United States for ages 13 through 18. Many adolescents that face suicidal thoughts or make a suicide plan never seek professional care or help. Within this work, we evaluate both verbal and nonverbal responses to a five-item ubiquitous questionnaire to identify and assess suicidal risk of adolescents. We utilize a machine learning approach to identify suicidal from non-suicidal speech as well as characterize adolescents that repeatedly attempted suicide in the past. Our findings investigate both verbal and nonverbal behavior information of the face-to-face clinician-patient interaction. We investigate 60 audio-recorded dyadic clinician-patient interviews of 30 suicidal (13 repeaters and 17 non-repeaters) and 30 non-suicidal adolescents. The interaction between clinician and adolescents is statistically analyzed to reveal differences between suicidal vs. non-suicidal adolescents and to investigate suicidal repeaters’ behaviors in comparison to suicidal non-repeaters. By using a hierarchical classifier we were able to show that the verbal responses to the ubiquitous questions sections of the interviews were useful to discriminate suicidal and non-suicidal patients. However, to additionally classify suicidal repeaters and suicidal non-repeaters more information especially nonverbal information is required.
123.
Rizzo, Albert; Talbot, Thomas
Virtual Reality Standardized Patients for Clinical Training Book Section
In: The Digital Patient, pp. 255–272, John Wiley & Sons, Inc, Hoboken, NJ, 2016, ISBN: 978-1-118-95278-8 978-1-118-95275-7.
@incollection{rizzo_virtual_2016,
title = {Virtual Reality Standardized Patients for Clinical Training},
author = {Albert Rizzo and Thomas Talbot},
url = {http://doi.wiley.com/10.1002/9781118952788.ch18},
isbn = {978-1-118-95278-8 978-1-118-95275-7},
year = {2016},
date = {2016-01-01},
booktitle = {The Digital Patient},
pages = {255–272},
publisher = {John Wiley & Sons, Inc},
address = {Hoboken, NJ},
abstract = {There are several quite distinct educational approaches that are all called a virtual patient. It includes case presentations, interactive patient scenarios, virtual patient games, human standardized patients (HSPs), high-fidelity software simulations, high-fidelity manikins, and virtual human (VH) conversational agents. VH conversations are possible that include an avatar that responds to pre-selected choices; such an interview is called a structured encounter. Most VSPs attempted to date have been on traditional computers. With the increased prevalence of mobile devices, it is logical to consider the migration of VSP technology to phones and tablets. Future distant recognition (DSR) systems will require a high level of individual speaker discrimination and will likely adopt microphone array-based acoustic beam forming technology. Future success may no longer be rate-limited by the pace of technology, but by the creativity and innovation of educators who will create compelling VSP experiences and curricula.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {incollection}
}
There are several quite distinct educational approaches that are all called a virtual patient. It includes case presentations, interactive patient scenarios, virtual patient games, human standardized patients (HSPs), high-fidelity software simulations, high-fidelity manikins, and virtual human (VH) conversational agents. VH conversations are possible that include an avatar that responds to pre-selected choices; such an interview is called a structured encounter. Most VSPs attempted to date have been on traditional computers. With the increased prevalence of mobile devices, it is logical to consider the migration of VSP technology to phones and tablets. Future distant recognition (DSR) systems will require a high level of individual speaker discrimination and will likely adopt microphone array-based acoustic beam forming technology. Future success may no longer be rate-limited by the pace of technology, but by the creativity and innovation of educators who will create compelling VSP experiences and curricula.
124.
Pynadath, David V.; Wang, Ning; Merchant, Chirag
Toward Acquiring a Human Behavior Model of Competition vs. Cooperation Proceedings Article
In: Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation, and Education Conference (I/ITSEC) 2015, National Training and Simulation Association, Orlando, Florida, 2015.
@inproceedings{pynadath_toward_2015,
title = {Toward Acquiring a Human Behavior Model of Competition vs. Cooperation},
author = {David V. Pynadath and Ning Wang and Chirag Merchant},
url = {http://www.iitsecdocs.com/search},
year = {2015},
date = {2015-12-01},
booktitle = {Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation, and Education Conference (I/ITSEC) 2015},
publisher = {National Training and Simulation Association},
address = {Orlando, Florida},
abstract = {One of the challenges in modeling human behavior is accurately capturing the conditions under which people will behave selfishly or selflessly. Researchers have been unable to craft purely cooperative (or competitive) scenarios without significant numbers of subjects displaying unintended selfish (or selfless) behavior (e.g., Rapoport & Chammah, 1965). In this work, rather than try to further isolate competitive vs. cooperative behavior, we instead construct an experimental setting that deliberately includes both, in a way that fits within an operational simulation model. Using PsychSim, a multiagent social simulation framework with both Theory of Mind and decision theory, we have implemented an online resource allocation game called “Team of Rivals”, where four players seek to defeat a common enemy. The players have individual pools of resources which they can allocate toward that common goal. In addition to their progress toward this common goal, the players also receive individual feedback, in terms of the number of resources they own and have won from the enemy. By giving the players both an explicit cooperative goal and implicit feedback on potential competitive goals, we give them room to behave anywhere on the spectrum between these two extremes. Furthermore, by moving away from the more common two-player laboratory settings (e.g., Prisoner’s Dilemma), we can observe differential behavior across the richer space of possible interpersonal relationships. We discuss the design of the game that allows us to observe and analyze these relationships from human behavior data acquired through this game. We then describe decision-theoretic agents that can simulate hypothesized variations on human behavior. Finally, we present results of a preliminary playtest of the testbed and discuss the gathered data.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
One of the challenges in modeling human behavior is accurately capturing the conditions under which people will behave selfishly or selflessly. Researchers have been unable to craft purely cooperative (or competitive) scenarios without significant numbers of subjects displaying unintended selfish (or selfless) behavior (e.g., Rapoport & Chammah, 1965). In this work, rather than try to further isolate competitive vs. cooperative behavior, we instead construct an experimental setting that deliberately includes both, in a way that fits within an operational simulation model. Using PsychSim, a multiagent social simulation framework with both Theory of Mind and decision theory, we have implemented an online resource allocation game called “Team of Rivals”, where four players seek to defeat a common enemy. The players have individual pools of resources which they can allocate toward that common goal. In addition to their progress toward this common goal, the players also receive individual feedback, in terms of the number of resources they own and have won from the enemy. By giving the players both an explicit cooperative goal and implicit feedback on potential competitive goals, we give them room to behave anywhere on the spectrum between these two extremes. Furthermore, by moving away from the more common two-player laboratory settings (e.g., Prisoner’s Dilemma), we can observe differential behavior across the richer space of possible interpersonal relationships. We discuss the design of the game that allows us to observe and analyze these relationships from human behavior data acquired through this game. We then describe decision-theoretic agents that can simulate hypothesized variations on human behavior. Finally, we present results of a preliminary playtest of the testbed and discuss the gathered data.
125.
Kang, Sin-Hwa; Krum, David M.; Phan, Thai; Bolas, Mark
"Hi, It's Me Again!": Virtual Coaches over Mobile Video Proceedings Article
In: Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Human-Agent Interaction, pp. 183–186, ACM, Daegu, Korea, 2015, ISBN: 978-1-4503-3527-0.
@inproceedings{kang_hi_2015,
title = {"Hi, It's Me Again!": Virtual Coaches over Mobile Video},
author = {Sin-Hwa Kang and David M. Krum and Thai Phan and Mark Bolas},
url = {http://dl.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=2814970},
isbn = {978-1-4503-3527-0},
year = {2015},
date = {2015-10-01},
booktitle = {Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Human-Agent Interaction},
pages = {183–186},
publisher = {ACM},
address = {Daegu, Korea},
abstract = {We believe that virtual humans presented over video chat services, such as Skype via smartphones, can be an effective way to deliver innovative applications where social interactions are important, such as counseling and coaching. We hypothesize that the context of a smartphone communication channel, i.e. how a virtual human is presented within a smartphone app, and indeed, the nature of that app, can profoundly affect how a real human perceives the virtual human. We have built an apparatus that allows virtual humans to initiate, receive, and interact over video calls using Skype or any similar service. With this platform, we are examining effective designs and social implications of virtual humans that interact over mobile video. The current study examines a relationship involving repeated counseling-style interactions with a virtual human, leveraging the virtual human’s ability to call and interact with a real human on multiple occasions over a period of time. The results and implications of this preliminary study suggest that repeated interactions may improve perceived social characteristics of the virtual human.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
We believe that virtual humans presented over video chat services, such as Skype via smartphones, can be an effective way to deliver innovative applications where social interactions are important, such as counseling and coaching. We hypothesize that the context of a smartphone communication channel, i.e. how a virtual human is presented within a smartphone app, and indeed, the nature of that app, can profoundly affect how a real human perceives the virtual human. We have built an apparatus that allows virtual humans to initiate, receive, and interact over video calls using Skype or any similar service. With this platform, we are examining effective designs and social implications of virtual humans that interact over mobile video. The current study examines a relationship involving repeated counseling-style interactions with a virtual human, leveraging the virtual human’s ability to call and interact with a real human on multiple occasions over a period of time. The results and implications of this preliminary study suggest that repeated interactions may improve perceived social characteristics of the virtual human.
126.
Kang, Sin-Hwa; Feng, Andrew W.; Leuski, Anton; Casas, Dan; Shapiro, Ari
The Effect of An Animated Virtual Character on Mobile Chat Interactions Book Section
In: Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Human-Agent Interaction, pp. 105–112, ACM, Daegu, Korea, 2015, ISBN: 978-1-4503-3527-0.
@incollection{kang_effect_2015,
title = {The Effect of An Animated Virtual Character on Mobile Chat Interactions},
author = {Sin-Hwa Kang and Andrew W. Feng and Anton Leuski and Dan Casas and Ari Shapiro},
url = {http://dl.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=2814957},
isbn = {978-1-4503-3527-0},
year = {2015},
date = {2015-10-01},
booktitle = {Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Human-Agent Interaction},
pages = {105–112},
publisher = {ACM},
address = {Daegu, Korea},
abstract = {This study explores presentation techniques for a 3D animated chat-based virtual human that communicates engagingly with users. Interactions with the virtual human occur via a smartphone outside of the lab in natural settings. Our work compares the responses of users who interact with no image or a static image of a virtual character as opposed to the animated visage of a virtual human capable of displaying appropriate nonverbal behavior. We further investigate users’ responses to the animated character’s gaze aversion which displayed the character’s act of looking away from users and was presented as a listening behavior. The findings of our study demonstrate that people tend to engage in conversation more by talking for a longer amount of time when they interact with a 3D animated virtual human that averts its gaze, compared to an animated virtual human that does not avert its gaze, a static image of a virtual character, or an audio-only interface.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {incollection}
}
This study explores presentation techniques for a 3D animated chat-based virtual human that communicates engagingly with users. Interactions with the virtual human occur via a smartphone outside of the lab in natural settings. Our work compares the responses of users who interact with no image or a static image of a virtual character as opposed to the animated visage of a virtual human capable of displaying appropriate nonverbal behavior. We further investigate users’ responses to the animated character’s gaze aversion which displayed the character’s act of looking away from users and was presented as a listening behavior. The findings of our study demonstrate that people tend to engage in conversation more by talking for a longer amount of time when they interact with a 3D animated virtual human that averts its gaze, compared to an animated virtual human that does not avert its gaze, a static image of a virtual character, or an audio-only interface.
127.
Rizzo, Albert "Skip"; Shilling, Russell; Forbell, Eric; Scherer, Stefan; Gratch, Jonathan; Morency, Louis-Philippe
Autonomous Virtual Human Agents for Healthcare Information Support and Clinical Interviewing Book Section
In: pp. 53–79, Elsevier, Inc., Philadelphia, PA, 2015, ISBN: 978-0-12-420248-1.
@incollection{rizzo_autonomous_2015,
title = {Autonomous Virtual Human Agents for Healthcare Information Support and Clinical Interviewing},
author = {Albert "Skip" Rizzo and Russell Shilling and Eric Forbell and Stefan Scherer and Jonathan Gratch and Louis-Philippe Morency},
url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780124202481000039},
isbn = {978-0-12-420248-1},
year = {2015},
date = {2015-10-01},
pages = {53–79},
publisher = {Elsevier, Inc.},
address = {Philadelphia, PA},
abstract = {Over the last 20 years, a virtual revolution has taken place in the use of Virtual Reality simulation technology for clinical purposes. Recent shifts in the social and scientific landscape have now set the stage for the next major movement in Clinical Virtual Reality with the “birth” of intelligent virtual human (VH) agents. Seminal research and development has appeared in the creation of highly interactive, artificially intelligent and natural language capable VHs that can engage real human users in a credible fashion. VHs can now be designed to perceive and act in a virtual world, engage in face-to-face spoken dialogues, and in some cases they are capable of exhibiting human-like emotional reactions. This chapter will detail our applications in this area where a virtual human can provide private online healthcare information and support (i.e., SimCoach) and where a VH can serve the role as a clinical interviewer (i.e., SimSensei).},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {incollection}
}
Over the last 20 years, a virtual revolution has taken place in the use of Virtual Reality simulation technology for clinical purposes. Recent shifts in the social and scientific landscape have now set the stage for the next major movement in Clinical Virtual Reality with the “birth” of intelligent virtual human (VH) agents. Seminal research and development has appeared in the creation of highly interactive, artificially intelligent and natural language capable VHs that can engage real human users in a credible fashion. VHs can now be designed to perceive and act in a virtual world, engage in face-to-face spoken dialogues, and in some cases they are capable of exhibiting human-like emotional reactions. This chapter will detail our applications in this area where a virtual human can provide private online healthcare information and support (i.e., SimCoach) and where a VH can serve the role as a clinical interviewer (i.e., SimSensei).
128.
Stratou, Giota; Morency, Louis-Philippe; DeVault, David; Hartholt, Arno; Fast, Edward; Lhommet, Margaux; Lucas, Gale; Morbini, Fabrizio; Georgila, Kallirroi; Scherer, Stefan; Gratch, Jonathan; Stacy, Marcella; Traum, David; Rizzo, Albert
A Demonstration of the Perception System in SimSensei, a Virtual Human Application for Healthcare Interviews Proceedings Article
In: Affective Computing and Intelligent Interaction (ACII), 2015 International Conference on, pp. 787–789, IEEE, Xi'an, China, 2015.
@inproceedings{stratou_demonstration_2015,
title = {A Demonstration of the Perception System in SimSensei, a Virtual Human Application for Healthcare Interviews},
author = {Giota Stratou and Louis-Philippe Morency and David DeVault and Arno Hartholt and Edward Fast and Margaux Lhommet and Gale Lucas and Fabrizio Morbini and Kallirroi Georgila and Stefan Scherer and Jonathan Gratch and Marcella Stacy and David Traum and Albert Rizzo},
url = {http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpls/abs_all.jsp?arnumber=7344661},
doi = {10.1109/ACII.2015.7344661},
year = {2015},
date = {2015-09-01},
booktitle = {Affective Computing and Intelligent Interaction (ACII), 2015 International Conference on},
pages = {787–789},
publisher = {IEEE},
address = {Xi'an, China},
abstract = {We present the SimSensei system, a fully automatic virtual agent that conducts interviews to assess indicators of psychological distress. With this demo, we focus our attention on the perception part of the system, a multimodal framework which captures and analyzes user state behavior for both behavioral understanding and interactional purposes. We will demonstrate real-time user state sensing as a part of the SimSensei architecture and discuss how this technology enabled automatic analysis of behaviors related to psychological distress.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
We present the SimSensei system, a fully automatic virtual agent that conducts interviews to assess indicators of psychological distress. With this demo, we focus our attention on the perception part of the system, a multimodal framework which captures and analyzes user state behavior for both behavioral understanding and interactional purposes. We will demonstrate real-time user state sensing as a part of the SimSensei architecture and discuss how this technology enabled automatic analysis of behaviors related to psychological distress.
129.
Wang, Ning; Pynadath, David V.; Unnikrishnan, K. V.; Shankar, Santosh; Merchant, Chirag
Intelligent Agents for Virtual Simulation of Human-Robot Interaction Proceedings Article
In: Virtual, Augmented and Mixed Reality, pp. 228 – 239, Springer International Publishing, Los Angeles, CA, 2015, ISBN: 978-3-319-21066-7 978-3-319-21067-4.
@inproceedings{wang_intelligent_2015,
title = {Intelligent Agents for Virtual Simulation of Human-Robot Interaction},
author = {Ning Wang and David V. Pynadath and K. V. Unnikrishnan and Santosh Shankar and Chirag Merchant},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/Intelligent%20Agents%20for%20Virtual%20Simulation%20of%20Human-Robot%20Interaction.pdf},
doi = {10.1007/978-3-319-21067-4 24},
isbn = {978-3-319-21066-7 978-3-319-21067-4},
year = {2015},
date = {2015-08-01},
booktitle = {Virtual, Augmented and Mixed Reality},
volume = {9179},
pages = {228 – 239},
publisher = {Springer International Publishing},
address = {Los Angeles, CA},
series = {Lecture Notes in Computer Science},
abstract = {To study how robots can work better with humans as a team, we have designed an agent-based online testbed that supports virtual simulation of domain-independent human-robot interaction. The simulation is implemented as an online game where humans and virtual robots work together in simulated scenarios. This testbed allows researchers to carry out human-robot interaction studies and gain better understanding of, for example, how a robot’s communication can improve human-robot team performance by fostering better trust relationships among humans and their robot teammates. In this paper, we discuss the requirements, challenges and the design of such human-robot simulation. We illustrate its operation with an example human-robot joint reconnaissance task.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
To study how robots can work better with humans as a team, we have designed an agent-based online testbed that supports virtual simulation of domain-independent human-robot interaction. The simulation is implemented as an online game where humans and virtual robots work together in simulated scenarios. This testbed allows researchers to carry out human-robot interaction studies and gain better understanding of, for example, how a robot’s communication can improve human-robot team performance by fostering better trust relationships among humans and their robot teammates. In this paper, we discuss the requirements, challenges and the design of such human-robot simulation. We illustrate its operation with an example human-robot joint reconnaissance task.
130.
Scherer, Stefan; Lucas, Gale; Gratch, Jonathan; Rizzo, Albert; Morency, Louis-Philippe
Self-reported symptoms of depression and PTSD are associated with reduced vowel space in screening interviews Journal Article
In: IEEE Transactions on Affective Computing (in press; doi: 10.1109/TAFFC.2015.2440264), no. 99, 2015, ISSN: 1949-3045.
@article{scherer_self-reported_2015,
title = {Self-reported symptoms of depression and PTSD are associated with reduced vowel space in screening interviews},
author = {Stefan Scherer and Gale Lucas and Jonathan Gratch and Albert Rizzo and Louis-Philippe Morency},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/Self-reported%20symptoms%20of%20depression%20and%20PTSD%20are%20associated%20with%20reduced%20vowel%20space%20in%20screening%20interviews.pdf},
doi = {10.1109/TAFFC.2015.2440264},
issn = {1949-3045},
year = {2015},
date = {2015-06-01},
journal = {IEEE Transactions on Affective Computing (in press; doi: 10.1109/TAFFC.2015.2440264)},
number = {99},
abstract = {Reduced frequency range in vowel production is a well documented speech characteristic of individuals with psychological and neurological disorders. Affective disorders such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are known to influence motor control and in particular speech production. The assessment and documentation of reduced vowel space and reduced expressivity often either rely on subjective assessments or on analysis of speech under constrained laboratory conditions (e.g. sustained vowel production, reading tasks). These constraints render the analysis of such measures expensive and impractical. Within this work, we investigate an automatic unsupervised machine learning based approach to assess a speaker’s vowel space. Our experiments are based on recordings of 253 individuals. Symptoms of depression and PTSD are assessed using standard self-assessment questionnaires and their cut-off scores. The experiments show a significantly reduced vowel space in subjects that scored positively on the questionnaires. We show the measure’s statistical robustness against varying demographics of individuals and articulation rate. The reduced vowel space for subjects with symptoms of depression can be explained by the common condition of psychomotor retardation influencing articulation and motor control. These findings could potentially support treatment of affective disorders, like depression and PTSD in the future.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Reduced frequency range in vowel production is a well documented speech characteristic of individuals with psychological and neurological disorders. Affective disorders such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are known to influence motor control and in particular speech production. The assessment and documentation of reduced vowel space and reduced expressivity often either rely on subjective assessments or on analysis of speech under constrained laboratory conditions (e.g. sustained vowel production, reading tasks). These constraints render the analysis of such measures expensive and impractical. Within this work, we investigate an automatic unsupervised machine learning based approach to assess a speaker’s vowel space. Our experiments are based on recordings of 253 individuals. Symptoms of depression and PTSD are assessed using standard self-assessment questionnaires and their cut-off scores. The experiments show a significantly reduced vowel space in subjects that scored positively on the questionnaires. We show the measure’s statistical robustness against varying demographics of individuals and articulation rate. The reduced vowel space for subjects with symptoms of depression can be explained by the common condition of psychomotor retardation influencing articulation and motor control. These findings could potentially support treatment of affective disorders, like depression and PTSD in the future.
131.
Rizzo, Albert; Cukor, Judith; Gerardi, Maryrose; Alley, Stephanie; Reist, Chris; Roy, Mike; Rothbaum, Barbara O.; Difede, JoAnn
Virtual Reality Exposure for PTSD Due to Military Combat and Terrorist Attacks Journal Article
In: Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy, pp. 1 –10, 2015, ISSN: 0022-0116, 1573-3564.
@article{rizzo_virtual_2015,
title = {Virtual Reality Exposure for PTSD Due to Military Combat and Terrorist Attacks},
author = {Albert Rizzo and Judith Cukor and Maryrose Gerardi and Stephanie Alley and Chris Reist and Mike Roy and Barbara O. Rothbaum and JoAnn Difede},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/Virtual%20Reality%20Exposure%20for%20PTSD%20Due%20to%20Military%20Combat%20and%20Terrorist%20Attacks.pdf},
doi = {10.1007/s10879-015-9306-3},
issn = {0022-0116, 1573-3564},
year = {2015},
date = {2015-05-01},
journal = {Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy},
pages = {1 –10},
abstract = {Humans exposed to war and terrorist attacks are at risk for the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Numerous reports indicate that the incidence of PTSD in both returning Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) military personnel and survivors of the 9/11 World Trade Center (WTC) attacks is significant. These situations have served to motivate research on how to better develop and disseminate evidence-based treatments for PTSD and other related psychosocial conditions. Virtual reality (VR) delivered exposure therapy for PTSD is currently being used to treat combat and terrorist attack related PTSD with initial reports of positive outcomes. This paper presents an overview and rationale for the use of VR exposure therapy with anxiety disorders and PTSD and describes the status of two systems (Virtual Iraq/Afghanistan and Virtual World Trade Center) developed for this purpose.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Humans exposed to war and terrorist attacks are at risk for the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Numerous reports indicate that the incidence of PTSD in both returning Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) military personnel and survivors of the 9/11 World Trade Center (WTC) attacks is significant. These situations have served to motivate research on how to better develop and disseminate evidence-based treatments for PTSD and other related psychosocial conditions. Virtual reality (VR) delivered exposure therapy for PTSD is currently being used to treat combat and terrorist attack related PTSD with initial reports of positive outcomes. This paper presents an overview and rationale for the use of VR exposure therapy with anxiety disorders and PTSD and describes the status of two systems (Virtual Iraq/Afghanistan and Virtual World Trade Center) developed for this purpose.
132.
Andreatta, Pamela; Klotz, Jessica J.; Madsen, James M.; Hurst, Charles G.; Talbot, Thomas B.
Outcomes From Two Forms of Training for First-Responder Competency in Cholinergic Crisis Management Journal Article
In: Military Medicine, vol. 180, no. 4, pp. 468–474, 2015, ISSN: 0026-4075, 1930-613X.
@article{andreatta_outcomes_2015,
title = {Outcomes From Two Forms of Training for First-Responder Competency in Cholinergic Crisis Management},
author = {Pamela Andreatta and Jessica J. Klotz and James M. Madsen and Charles G. Hurst and Thomas B. Talbot},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/Outcomes%20From%20Two%20Forms%20of%20Training%20for%20First-Responder%20Competency%20in%20Cholinergic%20Crisis%20Management.pdf},
doi = {10.7205/MILMED-D-14-00290},
issn = {0026-4075, 1930-613X},
year = {2015},
date = {2015-04-01},
journal = {Military Medicine},
volume = {180},
number = {4},
pages = {468–474},
abstract = {Military and civilian first responders must be able to recognize and effectively manage mass disaster casualties. Clinical management of injuries resulting from nerve agents provides different challenges for first responders than those of conventional weapons. We evaluated the impact of a mixed-methods training program on competency acquisition in cholinergic crisis clinical management using multimedia with either live animal or patient actor examples, and hands-on practice using SimMan3G mannequin simulators. A purposively selected sample of 204 civilian and military first responders who had not previously completed nerve agent training were assessed pre- and post-training for knowledge, performance, self-efficacy, and affective state. We conducted analysis of variance with repeated measures; statistical significance p textbackslashtextbackslashtextless 0.05. Both groups had significant performance improvement across all assessment dimensions: knowledge textbackslashtextbackslashtextgreater 20%, performance textbackslashtextbackslashtextgreater 50%, self-efficacy textbackslashtextbackslashtextgreater 34%, and affective state textbackslashtextbackslashtextgreater 15%. There were no significant differences between the live animal and patient actor groups. These findings could aid in the specification of training for first-responder personnel in military and civilian service. Although less comprehensive than U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense courses, the training outcomes associated with this easily distributed program demonstrate its value in increasing the competency of first responders in recognizing and managing a mass casualty cholinergic event.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Military and civilian first responders must be able to recognize and effectively manage mass disaster casualties. Clinical management of injuries resulting from nerve agents provides different challenges for first responders than those of conventional weapons. We evaluated the impact of a mixed-methods training program on competency acquisition in cholinergic crisis clinical management using multimedia with either live animal or patient actor examples, and hands-on practice using SimMan3G mannequin simulators. A purposively selected sample of 204 civilian and military first responders who had not previously completed nerve agent training were assessed pre- and post-training for knowledge, performance, self-efficacy, and affective state. We conducted analysis of variance with repeated measures; statistical significance p textbackslashtextbackslashtextless 0.05. Both groups had significant performance improvement across all assessment dimensions: knowledge textbackslashtextbackslashtextgreater 20%, performance textbackslashtextbackslashtextgreater 50%, self-efficacy textbackslashtextbackslashtextgreater 34%, and affective state textbackslashtextbackslashtextgreater 15%. There were no significant differences between the live animal and patient actor groups. These findings could aid in the specification of training for first-responder personnel in military and civilian service. Although less comprehensive than U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense courses, the training outcomes associated with this easily distributed program demonstrate its value in increasing the competency of first responders in recognizing and managing a mass casualty cholinergic event.
133.
Highland, Krista B.; Costanzo, Michelle E.; Jovanovic, Tanja; Norrholm, Seth D.; Ndiongue, Rochelle B.; Reinhardt, Brian J.; Rothbaum, Barbara; Rizzo, Albert A.; Roy, Michael J.
Catecholamine responses to virtual combat: implications for post-traumatic stress and dimensions of functioning Journal Article
In: Frontiers in Psychology, vol. 6, 2015, ISSN: 1664-1078.
@article{highland_catecholamine_2015,
title = {Catecholamine responses to virtual combat: implications for post-traumatic stress and dimensions of functioning},
author = {Krista B. Highland and Michelle E. Costanzo and Tanja Jovanovic and Seth D. Norrholm and Rochelle B. Ndiongue and Brian J. Reinhardt and Barbara Rothbaum and Albert A. Rizzo and Michael J. Roy},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/Catecholamine%20responses%20to%20virtual%20combat%20-%20implications%20for%20post-traumatic%20stress%20and%20dimensions%20of%20functioning.pdf},
doi = {10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00256},
issn = {1664-1078},
year = {2015},
date = {2015-03-01},
journal = {Frontiers in Psychology},
volume = {6},
abstract = {Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms can result in functional impairment among service members (SMs), even in those without a clinical diagnosis. The variability in outcomes may be related to underlying catecholamine mechanisms. Individuals with PTSD tend to have elevated basal catecholamine levels, though less is known regarding catecholamine responses to trauma-related stimuli. We assessed whether catecholamine responses to a virtual combat environment impact the relationship between PTSD symptom clusters and elements of functioning. Eighty-seven clinically healthy SMs, within 2 months after deployment to Iraq or Afghanistan, completed self-report measures, viewed virtual-reality (VR) combat sequences, and had sequential blood draws. Norepinephrine responses to VR combat exposure moderated the relationship between avoidance symptoms and scales of functioning including physical functioning, physical-role functioning, and vitality. Among those with high levels of avoidance, norepinephrine change was inversely associated with functional status, whereas a positive correlation was observed for those with low levels of avoidance. Our findings represent a novel use of a virtual environment to display combat-related stimuli to returning SMs to elucidate mind-body connections inherent in their responses. The insight gained improves our understanding of post-deployment symptoms and quality of life in SMs and may facilitate enhancements in treatment. Further research is needed to validate these findings in other populations and to define the implications for treatment effectiveness.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms can result in functional impairment among service members (SMs), even in those without a clinical diagnosis. The variability in outcomes may be related to underlying catecholamine mechanisms. Individuals with PTSD tend to have elevated basal catecholamine levels, though less is known regarding catecholamine responses to trauma-related stimuli. We assessed whether catecholamine responses to a virtual combat environment impact the relationship between PTSD symptom clusters and elements of functioning. Eighty-seven clinically healthy SMs, within 2 months after deployment to Iraq or Afghanistan, completed self-report measures, viewed virtual-reality (VR) combat sequences, and had sequential blood draws. Norepinephrine responses to VR combat exposure moderated the relationship between avoidance symptoms and scales of functioning including physical functioning, physical-role functioning, and vitality. Among those with high levels of avoidance, norepinephrine change was inversely associated with functional status, whereas a positive correlation was observed for those with low levels of avoidance. Our findings represent a novel use of a virtual environment to display combat-related stimuli to returning SMs to elucidate mind-body connections inherent in their responses. The insight gained improves our understanding of post-deployment symptoms and quality of life in SMs and may facilitate enhancements in treatment. Further research is needed to validate these findings in other populations and to define the implications for treatment effectiveness.
134.
Talbot, Thomas
COMRADE: Methods for Adaptive Competency Management and Just-in-Time Clinical Acumen Augmentation Journal Article
In: MedSim Magazine, pp. 26 – 28, 2015.
@article{talbot_comrade_2015,
title = {COMRADE: Methods for Adaptive Competency Management and Just-in-Time Clinical Acumen Augmentation},
author = {Thomas Talbot},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/COMRADE%20-%20Methods%20for%20Adaptive%20Competency%20Management%20and%20Just-in-Time%20Clinical%20Acumen%20Augmentation.pdf},
year = {2015},
date = {2015-01-01},
journal = {MedSim Magazine},
pages = {26 – 28},
abstract = {Dr. Thomas Talbot shares ideas for enhancing the electronic medical Record to act as a didactic tool to support physician competency.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Dr. Thomas Talbot shares ideas for enhancing the electronic medical Record to act as a didactic tool to support physician competency.
135.
Rizzo, Albert; Scherer, Stefan; DeVault, David; Gratch, Jonathan; Artstein, Ron; Hartholt, Arno; Lucas, Gale; Marsella, Stacy; Morbini, Fabrizio; Nazarian, Angela; Stratou, Giota; Traum, David; Wood, Rachel; Boberg, Jill; Morency, Louis-Philippe
Detection and Computational Analysis of Psychological Signals Using a Virtual Human Interviewing Agent Proceedings Article
In: Proceedings of ICDVRAT 2014, International Journal of Disability and Human Development, Gothenburg, Sweden, 2014.
@inproceedings{rizzo_detection_2014,
title = {Detection and Computational Analysis of Psychological Signals Using a Virtual Human Interviewing Agent},
author = {Albert Rizzo and Stefan Scherer and David DeVault and Jonathan Gratch and Ron Artstein and Arno Hartholt and Gale Lucas and Stacy Marsella and Fabrizio Morbini and Angela Nazarian and Giota Stratou and David Traum and Rachel Wood and Jill Boberg and Louis-Philippe Morency},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/Detection%20and%20Computational%20Analysis%20of%20Psychological%20Signals%20Using%20a%20Virtual%20Human%20Interviewing%20Agent.pdf},
year = {2014},
date = {2014-12-01},
booktitle = {Proceedings of ICDVRAT 2014},
publisher = {International Journal of Disability and Human Development},
address = {Gothenburg, Sweden},
abstract = {It has long been recognized that facial expressions, body posture/gestures and vocal parameters play an important role in human communication and the implicit signalling of emotion. Recent advances in low cost computer vision and behavioral sensing technologies can now be applied to the process of making meaningful inferences as to user state when a person interacts with a computational device. Effective use of this additive information could serve to promote human interaction with virtual human (VH) agents that may enhance diagnostic assessment. This paper will focus on our current research in these areas within the DARPA-funded “Detection and Computational Analysis of Psychological Signals” project, with specific attention to the SimSensei application use case. SimSensei is a virtual human interaction platform that is able to sense and interpret real-time audiovisual behavioral signals from users interacting with the system. It is specifically designed for health care support and leverages years of virtual human research and development at USC-ICT. The platform enables an engaging face-to-face interaction where the virtual human automatically reacts to the state and inferred intent of the user through analysis of behavioral signals gleaned from facial expressions, body gestures and vocal parameters. Akin to how non-verbal behavioral signals have an impact on human to human interaction and communication, SimSensei aims to capture and infer from user non-verbal communication to improve engagement between a VH and a user. The system can also quantify and interpret sensed behavioral signals.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
It has long been recognized that facial expressions, body posture/gestures and vocal parameters play an important role in human communication and the implicit signalling of emotion. Recent advances in low cost computer vision and behavioral sensing technologies can now be applied to the process of making meaningful inferences as to user state when a person interacts with a computational device. Effective use of this additive information could serve to promote human interaction with virtual human (VH) agents that may enhance diagnostic assessment. This paper will focus on our current research in these areas within the DARPA-funded “Detection and Computational Analysis of Psychological Signals” project, with specific attention to the SimSensei application use case. SimSensei is a virtual human interaction platform that is able to sense and interpret real-time audiovisual behavioral signals from users interacting with the system. It is specifically designed for health care support and leverages years of virtual human research and development at USC-ICT. The platform enables an engaging face-to-face interaction where the virtual human automatically reacts to the state and inferred intent of the user through analysis of behavioral signals gleaned from facial expressions, body gestures and vocal parameters. Akin to how non-verbal behavioral signals have an impact on human to human interaction and communication, SimSensei aims to capture and infer from user non-verbal communication to improve engagement between a VH and a user. The system can also quantify and interpret sensed behavioral signals.
136.
Beidel, Deborah; Neer, Sandra; Bowers, Clint; Frueh, B; Rizzo, Albert
Using Virtual Reality as Part of an Intensive Treatment Program for PTSD Proceedings Article
In: Proceedings of I/ITSEC 2014, pp. 1 –10, Orlando, Florida, 2014.
@inproceedings{beidel_using_2014,
title = {Using Virtual Reality as Part of an Intensive Treatment Program for PTSD},
author = {Deborah Beidel and Sandra Neer and Clint Bowers and B Frueh and Albert Rizzo},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/Using%20Virtual%20Reality%20as%20Part%20of%20an%20Intensive%20Treatment%20Program%20for%20PTSD.pdf},
year = {2014},
date = {2014-12-01},
booktitle = {Proceedings of I/ITSEC 2014},
pages = {1 –10},
address = {Orlando, Florida},
abstract = {Up to 18.5% of veterans returning from OIF/OEF are diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In addition to symptoms of anxiety (intrusive thoughts, re-experiencing, hyperarousal, and avoidance), PTSD can result in social maladjustment, poor quality of life, and medical problems. Other emotional problems include guilt, anger, and unemployment, impulsive or violent behavior, and family discord. Many veterans seeking treatment for PTSD also seek disability compensation for debilitating occupational impairment. There are few administrative or research data to indicate veterans are recovering from PTSD. Exposure therapy, a form of behavior therapy, alleviates anxiety symptoms, but may not address the anger, depression and social impairment that accompanies this disorder. In this presentation, we will discuss an intensive treatment program, known as Trauma Management Therapy (TMT), which combines individual virtual reality (VR) assisted exposure therapy with group social and emotional rehabilitation skills training, delivered in a 3 week format. The presentation will demonstrate the VR environment (Virtual Iraq), will discuss how often/successfully various VR elements are integrated into a comprehensive treatment program, and the adaptability of the program for active duty military personnel, as well as veterans. We will discuss the format of the intensive program as well as factors such as compliance and drop-out rates, comparing these important clinical variables to more traditional outpatient treatment programs. Additionally, we will address common clinical concerns regarding the use of VR exposure therapy for individuals suffering from PTSD.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
Up to 18.5% of veterans returning from OIF/OEF are diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In addition to symptoms of anxiety (intrusive thoughts, re-experiencing, hyperarousal, and avoidance), PTSD can result in social maladjustment, poor quality of life, and medical problems. Other emotional problems include guilt, anger, and unemployment, impulsive or violent behavior, and family discord. Many veterans seeking treatment for PTSD also seek disability compensation for debilitating occupational impairment. There are few administrative or research data to indicate veterans are recovering from PTSD. Exposure therapy, a form of behavior therapy, alleviates anxiety symptoms, but may not address the anger, depression and social impairment that accompanies this disorder. In this presentation, we will discuss an intensive treatment program, known as Trauma Management Therapy (TMT), which combines individual virtual reality (VR) assisted exposure therapy with group social and emotional rehabilitation skills training, delivered in a 3 week format. The presentation will demonstrate the VR environment (Virtual Iraq), will discuss how often/successfully various VR elements are integrated into a comprehensive treatment program, and the adaptability of the program for active duty military personnel, as well as veterans. We will discuss the format of the intensive program as well as factors such as compliance and drop-out rates, comparing these important clinical variables to more traditional outpatient treatment programs. Additionally, we will address common clinical concerns regarding the use of VR exposure therapy for individuals suffering from PTSD.
137.
Andreatta, Pamela; Klotz, Jessica; Madsen, James M.; Hurst, Charles G.; Talbot, Thomas
Assessment instrument validation for critical clinical competencies - pediatricneonatal intubation and cholinergic crisis management Proceedings Article
In: Proceedings of Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation, and Education Conference (I/ITSEC) 2014, Orlando, FL, 2014.
@inproceedings{andreatta_assessment_2014,
title = {Assessment instrument validation for critical clinical competencies - pediatricneonatal intubation and cholinergic crisis management},
author = {Pamela Andreatta and Jessica Klotz and James M. Madsen and Charles G. Hurst and Thomas Talbot},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/Assessment%20instrument%20validation%20for%20critical%20clinical%20competencies%20-%20pediatricneonatal%20intubation%20and%20cholinergic%20crisis%20management.pdf},
year = {2014},
date = {2014-12-01},
booktitle = {Proceedings of Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation, and Education Conference (I/ITSEC) 2014},
address = {Orlando, FL},
abstract = {Military and civilian first-responders must be able to recognize and effectively manage casualties that necessitate immediate application of critical clinical competencies. Two examples of these critical competencies are the clinical management of injuries resulting from nerve agents and difficult intubation, especially for pediatric or neonatal patients. The opportunity to learn and practice the necessary skills for these rare, but urgent, situations is complicated by the limited ability to replicate essential situational factors that influence performance in the applied clinical environment. Simulation-based training may resolve some of these challenges, however it is imperative that evidence be captured to document the achievement of performance competencies in the training environment that transfer to applied clinical care. The purpose of this study was to establish psychometric characteristics for competency assessment instruments associated with two such critical competencies: management of cholinergic crisis and pediatric-neonatal intubation. Methods: To inform the development of assessment instruments, we conducted comprehensive task analyses across each performance domain (knowledge, performance). Expert review confirmed content validity. Construct validity was established using the instruments to differentiate between the performance abilities of practitioners with variable experience (novice through expert). Purposively selected firstresponder subjects for pediatric-neonatal intubation (N=214) and cholinergic crisis management (N=123) were stratified by level of experience performing the requisite clinical competencies. All subjects completed knowledge and performance assessments. Reliability was established using test-retest (Pearson correlation) and internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha) for knowledge and performance assessments. Results: Significantly higher scores for subjects with greater levels of experience, compared to those with less experience established construct validity for each assessment instrument (p textbackslashtextbackslashtextless .01). Significant correlations between test-retest outcomes indicated measurement reliability p textbackslashtextbackslashtextless .01. Cronbach’s alpha for knowledge and performance scores demonstrated excellent internal consistency. Conclusions: Psychometric evidence establishes the value of assessment for identifying and remedying critical competency performance gaps.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
Military and civilian first-responders must be able to recognize and effectively manage casualties that necessitate immediate application of critical clinical competencies. Two examples of these critical competencies are the clinical management of injuries resulting from nerve agents and difficult intubation, especially for pediatric or neonatal patients. The opportunity to learn and practice the necessary skills for these rare, but urgent, situations is complicated by the limited ability to replicate essential situational factors that influence performance in the applied clinical environment. Simulation-based training may resolve some of these challenges, however it is imperative that evidence be captured to document the achievement of performance competencies in the training environment that transfer to applied clinical care. The purpose of this study was to establish psychometric characteristics for competency assessment instruments associated with two such critical competencies: management of cholinergic crisis and pediatric-neonatal intubation. Methods: To inform the development of assessment instruments, we conducted comprehensive task analyses across each performance domain (knowledge, performance). Expert review confirmed content validity. Construct validity was established using the instruments to differentiate between the performance abilities of practitioners with variable experience (novice through expert). Purposively selected firstresponder subjects for pediatric-neonatal intubation (N=214) and cholinergic crisis management (N=123) were stratified by level of experience performing the requisite clinical competencies. All subjects completed knowledge and performance assessments. Reliability was established using test-retest (Pearson correlation) and internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha) for knowledge and performance assessments. Results: Significantly higher scores for subjects with greater levels of experience, compared to those with less experience established construct validity for each assessment instrument (p textbackslashtextbackslashtextless .01). Significant correlations between test-retest outcomes indicated measurement reliability p textbackslashtextbackslashtextless .01. Cronbach’s alpha for knowledge and performance scores demonstrated excellent internal consistency. Conclusions: Psychometric evidence establishes the value of assessment for identifying and remedying critical competency performance gaps.
138.
Klotz, Jessica; Madsen, James M.; Hurst, Charles G.; Talbot, Thomas
Training Effects for First-responder Competency in Cholinergic Crisis Management Proceedings Article
In: Proceedings of Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation, and Education Conference (I/ITSEC) 2014, Orlando, FL, 2014.
@inproceedings{klotz_training_2014,
title = {Training Effects for First-responder Competency in Cholinergic Crisis Management},
author = {Jessica Klotz and James M. Madsen and Charles G. Hurst and Thomas Talbot},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/Training%20Effects%20for%20First-responder%20Competency%20in%20Cholinergic%20Crisis%20Management.pdf},
year = {2014},
date = {2014-12-01},
booktitle = {Proceedings of Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation, and Education Conference (I/ITSEC) 2014},
address = {Orlando, FL},
abstract = {Military and civilian first-responders must be able to recognize and effectively manage mass disaster casualties. Clinical management of injuries resulting from nerve agents provides different challenges for first responders than those of conventional weapons. We evaluated the impact of a mixed-methods training program on competency acquisition in cholinergic crisis clinical management. Methods: We developed a multimedia and simulation-based training program based on the more comprehensive USAMRICD courses. The training program was designed to provide first-responders with the necessary abilities to recognize and manage a mass casualty cholinergic crisis event. Training included a learner controlled multimedia iPad app and hands-on instruction using SimMan3G™ mannequin simulators. We evaluated the impact of the training through a purposively selected sample of 204 civilian and military first responders who had not previously completed either of the referenced USAMRICD courses. We assessed knowledge, performance, affect, and self-efficacy measures pre- and post-training using previously validated assessment instruments. We calculated results using analysis of variance with repeated measures, and with statistical significance set at p textbackslashtextbackslashtextless .05. Results: Analyses demonstrated a significant improvement (p = .000) across all domains (knowledge, performance, self-efficacy, and affect). Knowledge scores increased from 60% to 81% correct. Performance scores increased from 16% to 68% correct. Self-efficacy scores increased from 51% to 87% confidence in ability to effectively manage a cholinergic crisis event. Affect scores increased from 75% to 81% personal comfort during procedures. Conclusions: These findings could aid in the selection of instructional methodologies available to a broad community of first-responder personnel in military and civilian service. Although less comprehensive than the USAMRICD courses, training outcomes associated with this easily distributed instruction set demonstrated its value in increasing the competency of first responders in recognizing and managing a mass casualty cholinergic event. Retention outcomes are in process.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
Military and civilian first-responders must be able to recognize and effectively manage mass disaster casualties. Clinical management of injuries resulting from nerve agents provides different challenges for first responders than those of conventional weapons. We evaluated the impact of a mixed-methods training program on competency acquisition in cholinergic crisis clinical management. Methods: We developed a multimedia and simulation-based training program based on the more comprehensive USAMRICD courses. The training program was designed to provide first-responders with the necessary abilities to recognize and manage a mass casualty cholinergic crisis event. Training included a learner controlled multimedia iPad app and hands-on instruction using SimMan3G™ mannequin simulators. We evaluated the impact of the training through a purposively selected sample of 204 civilian and military first responders who had not previously completed either of the referenced USAMRICD courses. We assessed knowledge, performance, affect, and self-efficacy measures pre- and post-training using previously validated assessment instruments. We calculated results using analysis of variance with repeated measures, and with statistical significance set at p textbackslashtextbackslashtextless .05. Results: Analyses demonstrated a significant improvement (p = .000) across all domains (knowledge, performance, self-efficacy, and affect). Knowledge scores increased from 60% to 81% correct. Performance scores increased from 16% to 68% correct. Self-efficacy scores increased from 51% to 87% confidence in ability to effectively manage a cholinergic crisis event. Affect scores increased from 75% to 81% personal comfort during procedures. Conclusions: These findings could aid in the selection of instructional methodologies available to a broad community of first-responder personnel in military and civilian service. Although less comprehensive than the USAMRICD courses, training outcomes associated with this easily distributed instruction set demonstrated its value in increasing the competency of first responders in recognizing and managing a mass casualty cholinergic event. Retention outcomes are in process.
139.
Venek, Verena; Scherer, Stefan; Morency, Louis-Philippe; Rizzo, Albert; Pestian, John
ADOLESCENT SUICIDAL RISK ASSESSMENT IN CLINICIAN-PATIENT INTERACTION: A STUDY OF VERBAL AND ACOUSTIC BEHAVIORS Proceedings Article
In: Spoken Language Technology Workshop (SLT), 2014 IEEE, pp. 277–282, IEEE, South Lake Tahoe, NV, 2014, ISBN: 978-1-4799-7129-9.
@inproceedings{venek_adolescent_2014,
title = {ADOLESCENT SUICIDAL RISK ASSESSMENT IN CLINICIAN-PATIENT INTERACTION: A STUDY OF VERBAL AND ACOUSTIC BEHAVIORS},
author = {Verena Venek and Stefan Scherer and Louis-Philippe Morency and Albert Rizzo and John Pestian},
url = {http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/lpdocs/epic03/wrapper.htm?arnumber=7078587},
doi = {10.1109/SLT.2014.7078587},
isbn = {978-1-4799-7129-9},
year = {2014},
date = {2014-12-01},
booktitle = {Spoken Language Technology Workshop (SLT), 2014 IEEE},
pages = {277–282},
publisher = {IEEE},
address = {South Lake Tahoe, NV},
abstract = {Suicide among adolescents is a major public health problem: it is the third leading cause of death in the US for ages 13-18. Up to now, there is no objective ways to assess the suicidal risk, i.e. whether a patient is non-suicidal, suicidal re-attempter (i.e. repeater) or suicidal non-repeater (i.e. individuals with one suicide attempt or showing signs of suicidal gestures or ideation). Therefore, features of the conversation including verbal information and nonverbal acoustic information were investigated from 60 audio-recorded interviews of 30 suicidal (13 repeaters and 17 non-repeaters) and 30 non-suicidal adolescents interviewed by a social worker. The interaction between clinician and patients was statistically analyzed to reveal differences between suicidal vs. non-suicidal adolescents and to investigate suicidal repeaters' behaviors in comparison to suicidal non-repeaters. By using a hierarchical ensemble classifier we were able to successfully discriminate non-suicidal patients, suicidal repeaters and suicidal non-repeaters.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
Suicide among adolescents is a major public health problem: it is the third leading cause of death in the US for ages 13-18. Up to now, there is no objective ways to assess the suicidal risk, i.e. whether a patient is non-suicidal, suicidal re-attempter (i.e. repeater) or suicidal non-repeater (i.e. individuals with one suicide attempt or showing signs of suicidal gestures or ideation). Therefore, features of the conversation including verbal information and nonverbal acoustic information were investigated from 60 audio-recorded interviews of 30 suicidal (13 repeaters and 17 non-repeaters) and 30 non-suicidal adolescents interviewed by a social worker. The interaction between clinician and patients was statistically analyzed to reveal differences between suicidal vs. non-suicidal adolescents and to investigate suicidal repeaters' behaviors in comparison to suicidal non-repeaters. By using a hierarchical ensemble classifier we were able to successfully discriminate non-suicidal patients, suicidal repeaters and suicidal non-repeaters.
140.
Safir, Marilyn P.; Wallach, Helene S.; Rizzo, Albert "Skip" (Ed.)
Future Directions in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Book
Springer US, Boston, MA, 2014, ISBN: 978-1-4899-7521-8 978-1-4899-7522-5.
@book{safir_future_2014,
title = {Future Directions in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder},
editor = {Marilyn P. Safir and Helene S. Wallach and Albert "Skip" Rizzo},
url = {http://link.springer.com/10.1007/978-1-4899-7522-5},
isbn = {978-1-4899-7521-8 978-1-4899-7522-5},
year = {2014},
date = {2014-11-01},
publisher = {Springer US},
address = {Boston, MA},
abstract = {Ours is an era of increasing tension, both global and local. And not surprisingly, PTSD is recognized not only in combat veterans and active military personnel, but also disaster and assault survivors across the demographic spectrum. As current events from mass shootings to the debate over trigger warnings keep the issue in the public eye, the disorder remains a steady concern among researchers and practitioners. Future Directions in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder presents findings and ideas with the potential to influence both our conceptualization of the condition and the techniques used to address it. A multidisciplinary panel of experts offers new analyses of risk and resilience factors, individual and group approaches to prevention, the evolving process of diagnosis, and effective treatment and delivery. Chapters on treatment allow readers to compare widely-used prolonged exposure and VR methods with innovative applications of cognitive processing therapy and interpersonal therapy. And an especially compelling contribution surveys empirically-based programs relating to what for many is the emblematic trauma of our time, the events of September 11, 2001. Included in the coverage: •Predictors of vulnerability to PTSD: neurobiological and genetic risk factors. •Early intervention: is prevention better than cure? •The functional neuroanatomy of PTSD. •The development of evidence-based treatment for PTSD. •Enhancing exposure therapy using D-Cycloserine (DCS). •PLUS: a case example as seen through five therapeutic perspectives. While millions experience trauma, relatively few develop chronic PTSD. Future Directions in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a practical and proactive reference for the health and clinical psychologists, sociologists, psychiatrists, and primary care physicians dedicated to further decreasing those numbers.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {book}
}
Ours is an era of increasing tension, both global and local. And not surprisingly, PTSD is recognized not only in combat veterans and active military personnel, but also disaster and assault survivors across the demographic spectrum. As current events from mass shootings to the debate over trigger warnings keep the issue in the public eye, the disorder remains a steady concern among researchers and practitioners. Future Directions in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder presents findings and ideas with the potential to influence both our conceptualization of the condition and the techniques used to address it. A multidisciplinary panel of experts offers new analyses of risk and resilience factors, individual and group approaches to prevention, the evolving process of diagnosis, and effective treatment and delivery. Chapters on treatment allow readers to compare widely-used prolonged exposure and VR methods with innovative applications of cognitive processing therapy and interpersonal therapy. And an especially compelling contribution surveys empirically-based programs relating to what for many is the emblematic trauma of our time, the events of September 11, 2001. Included in the coverage: •Predictors of vulnerability to PTSD: neurobiological and genetic risk factors. •Early intervention: is prevention better than cure? •The functional neuroanatomy of PTSD. •The development of evidence-based treatment for PTSD. •Enhancing exposure therapy using D-Cycloserine (DCS). •PLUS: a case example as seen through five therapeutic perspectives. While millions experience trauma, relatively few develop chronic PTSD. Future Directions in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a practical and proactive reference for the health and clinical psychologists, sociologists, psychiatrists, and primary care physicians dedicated to further decreasing those numbers.
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2005
Rizzo, Albert; Klimchuck, Dean; Mitura, Roman; Bowerly, Todd; Buckwalter, John Galen; Kerns, Kim; Randall, Karherine; Adams, Rebecca; Finn, Paul; Tarnanas, Ioannis; Sirbu, Cristian; Ollendick, Thomas H.; Yeh, Shih-Ching
A Virtual Reality Scenario for All Seasons: The Virtual Classroom Proceedings Article
In: Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Human Computer Interaction, Las Vegas, NV, 2005.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: MedVR
@inproceedings{rizzo_virtual_2005,
title = {A Virtual Reality Scenario for All Seasons: The Virtual Classroom},
author = {Albert Rizzo and Dean Klimchuck and Roman Mitura and Todd Bowerly and John Galen Buckwalter and Kim Kerns and Karherine Randall and Rebecca Adams and Paul Finn and Ioannis Tarnanas and Cristian Sirbu and Thomas H. Ollendick and Shih-Ching Yeh},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/A%20Virtual%20Reality%20Scenario%20for%20All%20Seasons-%20The%20Virtual%20Classroom%20(HCI).pdf},
year = {2005},
date = {2005-01-01},
booktitle = {Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Human Computer Interaction},
address = {Las Vegas, NV},
abstract = {Rather than relying on costly physical mock-ups of functional assessment and rehabilitation environments, VR offers the option to produce and distribute identical "standard" environments. Within such digital assessment and rehabilitation scenarios, normative data can be accumulated for performance comparisons needed for assessment, diagnosis and for training purposes. As well, in this manner, reusable archetypic virtual environments constructed for one purpose, could also be applied for clinical applications addressing other purposes. This has now been done with the Virtual Classroom scenario. While originally developed as a controlled stimulus environment in which attention processes could be systematically assessed in children while in the presence of varying levels of distraction, the system is now finding use for other clinical targets. Such applications that are being developed and tested using the Virtual Classroom for other purposes include: 1. Expansion of the range of attention assessment tests (i.e., a _Stroop` Interference testing system for all ages). 2. A wide field of view system to study eye tracking under distracting conditions with ADHD children using an Elumens VisionStation®. 3. Development of the Virtual Classroom as a tool for anxiety assessment and graduated exposure therapy for children with Social Anxiety Disorder. 4. An extension to the class to include a maze of halls leading out of the school for an earthquake safety training application with persons with developmental and learning disabilities.},
keywords = {MedVR},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
Rather than relying on costly physical mock-ups of functional assessment and rehabilitation environments, VR offers the option to produce and distribute identical "standard" environments. Within such digital assessment and rehabilitation scenarios, normative data can be accumulated for performance comparisons needed for assessment, diagnosis and for training purposes. As well, in this manner, reusable archetypic virtual environments constructed for one purpose, could also be applied for clinical applications addressing other purposes. This has now been done with the Virtual Classroom scenario. While originally developed as a controlled stimulus environment in which attention processes could be systematically assessed in children while in the presence of varying levels of distraction, the system is now finding use for other clinical targets. Such applications that are being developed and tested using the Virtual Classroom for other purposes include: 1. Expansion of the range of attention assessment tests (i.e., a _Stroop` Interference testing system for all ages). 2. A wide field of view system to study eye tracking under distracting conditions with ADHD children using an Elumens VisionStation®. 3. Development of the Virtual Classroom as a tool for anxiety assessment and graduated exposure therapy for children with Social Anxiety Disorder. 4. An extension to the class to include a maze of halls leading out of the school for an earthquake safety training application with persons with developmental and learning disabilities.
Grote, Christopher L.; Parsons, Thomas D.
Threats to the Livelihood of the Forensic Neuropsychological Practice: Avoiding Ethical Misconduct Journal Article
In: Journal of Forensic Neuropsychology, vol. 4, no. 3, pp. 79–93, 2005.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: MedVR
@article{grote_threats_2005,
title = {Threats to the Livelihood of the Forensic Neuropsychological Practice: Avoiding Ethical Misconduct},
author = {Christopher L. Grote and Thomas D. Parsons},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/Threats%20to%20the%20Livelihood%20of%20the%20Forensic%20Neuropsychological%20Practice-%20Avoiding%20Ethical%20Misconduct.pdf},
doi = {10.1300/J151v04n03_06},
year = {2005},
date = {2005-01-01},
journal = {Journal of Forensic Neuropsychology},
volume = {4},
number = {3},
pages = {79–93},
abstract = {We review six diverse issues that have the potential of devaluing our profession, in that ethical missteps could lead to the perception or reality that the work of forensic neuropsychologists is "for sale." By resisting temptations or overtures to engage in inappropriate conduct, such as attacking colleagues or failing to recognize how our own biases might influence our behavior or opinions, neuropsychologists strive to create a work product that enhances the reputation of our profession and makes a positive contribution to the public-at-large.},
keywords = {MedVR},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
We review six diverse issues that have the potential of devaluing our profession, in that ethical missteps could lead to the perception or reality that the work of forensic neuropsychologists is "for sale." By resisting temptations or overtures to engage in inappropriate conduct, such as attacking colleagues or failing to recognize how our own biases might influence our behavior or opinions, neuropsychologists strive to create a work product that enhances the reputation of our profession and makes a positive contribution to the public-at-large.
2004
Parsons, Thomas D.; Thompson, E.; Buckwalter, John Galen; Bluestein, Brendon
Pregnancy History and Cognition During and After Pregnancy Journal Article
In: International Journal of Neuroscience, vol. 114, pp. 1099–1110, 2004, ISSN: 0020-7454.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: MedVR
@article{parsons_pregnancy_2004,
title = {Pregnancy History and Cognition During and After Pregnancy},
author = {Thomas D. Parsons and E. Thompson and John Galen Buckwalter and Brendon Bluestein},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/Pregnancy%20History%20and%20Cognition%20During%20and%20After%20Pregnancy.pdf},
doi = {10.1080/00207450490475544},
issn = {0020-7454},
year = {2004},
date = {2004-01-01},
journal = {International Journal of Neuroscience},
volume = {114},
pages = {1099–1110},
abstract = {An increasing body of literature confirms anecdotal reports that cognitive changes occur during pregnancy. This article assessed whether prior pregnancy, which alters a woman's subsequent hormonal environment, is associated with a specific cognitive profile during and after pregnancy. Seven primigravids and nine multigravids were compared, equivalent for age and education. No differences between groups were found during pregnancy. After delivery, multigravids performed better than primigravids on verbal memory tasks. After controlling for mood, a significant difference in verbal memory remained. A neuroadaptive mechanism may develop after first pregnancy that increases the ability to recover from some cognitive deficits after later pregnancies.},
keywords = {MedVR},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
An increasing body of literature confirms anecdotal reports that cognitive changes occur during pregnancy. This article assessed whether prior pregnancy, which alters a woman's subsequent hormonal environment, is associated with a specific cognitive profile during and after pregnancy. Seven primigravids and nine multigravids were compared, equivalent for age and education. No differences between groups were found during pregnancy. After delivery, multigravids performed better than primigravids on verbal memory tasks. After controlling for mood, a significant difference in verbal memory remained. A neuroadaptive mechanism may develop after first pregnancy that increases the ability to recover from some cognitive deficits after later pregnancies.
Parsons, Thomas D.; Larson, Peter; Kratz, Kris; Thiebaux, Marcus; Bluestein, Brendon; Buckwalter, John Galen; Rizzo, Albert
Sex differences in mental rotation and spatial rotation in a virtual environment Journal Article
In: Neuropsychologia, vol. 42, pp. 555–562, 2004.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: MedVR
@article{parsons_sex_2004,
title = {Sex differences in mental rotation and spatial rotation in a virtual environment},
author = {Thomas D. Parsons and Peter Larson and Kris Kratz and Marcus Thiebaux and Brendon Bluestein and John Galen Buckwalter and Albert Rizzo},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/Sex%20differences%20in%20mental%20rotation%20and%20spatial%20rotation%20in%20a%20virtual%20environment.pdf},
doi = {10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2003.08.014},
year = {2004},
date = {2004-01-01},
journal = {Neuropsychologia},
volume = {42},
pages = {555–562},
abstract = {The visuospatial ability referred to as mental rotation has been shown to produce one of the largest and most consistent sex differences, in favor of males, in the cognitive literature. The current study utilizes both a paper-and-pencil version of the mental rotations test (MRT) and a virtual environment for investigating rotational ability among 44 adult subjects. Results replicate sex differences traditionally seen on paper-and-pencil measures, while no sex effects were observed in the virtual environment. These ï¬ndings are discussed in terms of task demands and motor involvement. Sex differences were also seen in the patterns of correlations between rotation tasks and other neuropsychological measures. Current results suggest men may rely more on left hemisphere processing than women when engaged in rotational tasks. © 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.},
keywords = {MedVR},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The visuospatial ability referred to as mental rotation has been shown to produce one of the largest and most consistent sex differences, in favor of males, in the cognitive literature. The current study utilizes both a paper-and-pencil version of the mental rotations test (MRT) and a virtual environment for investigating rotational ability among 44 adult subjects. Results replicate sex differences traditionally seen on paper-and-pencil measures, while no sex effects were observed in the virtual environment. These ï¬ndings are discussed in terms of task demands and motor involvement. Sex differences were also seen in the patterns of correlations between rotation tasks and other neuropsychological measures. Current results suggest men may rely more on left hemisphere processing than women when engaged in rotational tasks. © 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Parsons, Thomas D.; Rizzo, Albert; Buckwalter, John Galen
Backpropagation and Regression: Comparative Utility for Neuropsychologists Journal Article
In: Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, vol. 26, no. 1, pp. 95–104, 2004.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: MedVR
@article{parsons_backpropagation_2004,
title = {Backpropagation and Regression: Comparative Utility for Neuropsychologists},
author = {Thomas D. Parsons and Albert Rizzo and John Galen Buckwalter},
url = {http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/Backpropagation%20and%20Regression-%20Comparative%20Utility%20for%20Neuropsychologists.pdf},
year = {2004},
date = {2004-01-01},
journal = {Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology},
volume = {26},
number = {1},
pages = {95–104},
abstract = {The aim of this research was to compare the data analytic applicability of a backpropagated neural network with that of regression analysis. Thirty individuals between the ages of 64 and 86 (Mean age = 73.6; Mean years education = 15.4; % women = 50) participated in a study designed to validate a new test of spatial ability administered in virtual reality. As part of this project a standard neuropsychological battery was administered. Results from the multiple regression model (R2 = .21, p textbackslashtextbackslashtextbackslashtextbackslashtextless .28; Standard Error = 18.01) were compared with those of a backpropagated ANN (R2 = .39, p textbackslashtextbackslashtextbackslashtextbackslashtextless .02; Standard Error = 13.07). This 18% increase in prediction of a common neuropsychological problem demonstrated that an ANN has the potential to outperform a regression.},
keywords = {MedVR},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The aim of this research was to compare the data analytic applicability of a backpropagated neural network with that of regression analysis. Thirty individuals between the ages of 64 and 86 (Mean age = 73.6; Mean years education = 15.4; % women = 50) participated in a study designed to validate a new test of spatial ability administered in virtual reality. As part of this project a standard neuropsychological battery was administered. Results from the multiple regression model (R2 = .21, p textbackslashtextbackslashtextbackslashtextbackslashtextless .28; Standard Error = 18.01) were compared with those of a backpropagated ANN (R2 = .39, p textbackslashtextbackslashtextbackslashtextbackslashtextless .02; Standard Error = 13.07). This 18% increase in prediction of a common neuropsychological problem demonstrated that an ANN has the potential to outperform a regression.
0000
Hartholt, Arno; Mozgai, Sharon
From Combat to COVID-19 – Managing the Impact of Trauma Using Virtual Reality Journal Article
In: pp. 35, 0000.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: DTIC, MedVR, Virtual Humans, VR
@article{hartholt_combat_nodate,
title = {From Combat to COVID-19 – Managing the Impact of Trauma Using Virtual Reality},
author = {Arno Hartholt and Sharon Mozgai},
pages = {35},
abstract = {Research has documented the efficacy of clinical applications that leverage Virtual Reality (VR) for assessment and treatment purposes across a wide range of domains, including pain, phobias, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). As the field of Clinical VR matures, it is important to review its origins and examine how these initial explorations have progressed, what gaps remain, and what opportunities the community can pursue. We do this by reflecting on our personal scientific journey against the backdrop of the field in general. In particular, this paper discusses how a clinical research program that was initially designed to deliver trauma-focused VR exposure therapy (VRET) for combat-related PTSD has been evolved to expand its impact and address a wider range of trauma sources. Such trauma sources include sexual trauma and the needs of first responders and healthcare professionals serving on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. We provide an overview of the field and its general trends, discuss the genesis of our research agenda and its current status, and summarize upcoming opportunities, together with common challenges and lessons learned.},
keywords = {DTIC, MedVR, Virtual Humans, VR},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Research has documented the efficacy of clinical applications that leverage Virtual Reality (VR) for assessment and treatment purposes across a wide range of domains, including pain, phobias, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). As the field of Clinical VR matures, it is important to review its origins and examine how these initial explorations have progressed, what gaps remain, and what opportunities the community can pursue. We do this by reflecting on our personal scientific journey against the backdrop of the field in general. In particular, this paper discusses how a clinical research program that was initially designed to deliver trauma-focused VR exposure therapy (VRET) for combat-related PTSD has been evolved to expand its impact and address a wider range of trauma sources. Such trauma sources include sexual trauma and the needs of first responders and healthcare professionals serving on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. We provide an overview of the field and its general trends, discuss the genesis of our research agenda and its current status, and summarize upcoming opportunities, together with common challenges and lessons learned.