Integrating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback in Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, and Mixed Reality as a Mental Health Intervention

We introduce an innovative approach to reducing cognitive stress by integrating two non-pharmacological therapeutic strategies, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) videos and Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback (HRV-BF), within Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR) and Mixed Reality (MR). The research demo presents a virtually created mental health therapist situated within a virtual therapy office who will deliver evidence-based CBT, which has been found to be efficacious in reducing stress. The simulated evidence-based HRV-BF strategy also aims to reduce stress by engaging the Parasympathetic Nervous System. The aim is to demonstrate the potentiality of advanced immersive technologies to deliver engaging and efficacious stress management interventions. The findings from this research will be pivotal in evaluating the comparative effectiveness of CBT and HRV-BF across the VR, AR, and MR environments.