Nowadays, virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) is suggested as a way to treat social anxiety disorder (SAD), including the more specific fear of public speaking (FoPs). The major advantage of using VRET is that the virtual environment represents something in between in vitro and in vivo exposure, and therefore, lower the threshold for engaging in exposure tasks. In this paper, we present a VR system for addressing public speaking anxiety. Furthermore, wireless wristband was worn to detect the heartbeat of the participant in real-time and head movement data were collected from the VR headset. In initial experiments, we use the movement from the VR headset to predict heart rate with the goal of being able to get heart rate from VR equipment without the need for additional equipment allowing larger follow up studies.

Virtual reality (VR) applications for exposure therapy predominantly use computer-generated imagery to create controlled environments in which users can be exposed to their fears. Creating 3D animations, however, is demanding and time-consuming. This paper presents a participatory approach for prototyping VR scenarios that are enabled by 360° video and grounded in lived experiences. We organized a participatory workshop with adolescents to prototype such scenarios, consisting of iterative phases of ideation, storyboarding, live-action plays recorded by a 360° camera, and group evaluation. Through an analysis of the participants' interactions, we outline how they worked to design prototypes that depict situations relevant to those with a fear of public speaking. Our analysis also explores how participants used their experiences and reflections as resources for design. Six clinical psychologists evaluated the prototypes from the workshop and concluded they were viable therapeutic tools, emphasizing the immersive, realistic experience they presented. We argue that our approach makes the design of VR scenarios more accessible.