What We Have Done
We have built an initial IRT-based XR service through research, design, and development.
What We've Done
Deep research
We refined our strategic direction through interviews with three psychological experts. We concluded that as a clinical auxiliary tool, its primary mechanisms are the restoration of body-based mastery and emotional restructuring.
Interviewee 1
Eunjeong Jang, Psychoanalyst
Psychoanalytic perspective: Emphasized identifying the growth-oriented nature within nightmares and providing a sense of stability through this process.
Interviewee 2
Hyunyoung Park, Psychotherapist
Highlighted the effectiveness of restructuring negative emotions through visualization and action; suggested protective mechanisms within the service to ensure client safety.
Interviewee 3
Sora Han, Psychological Expert
Stressed the importance of active modification features that grant the client a sense of control and the right to choose.
Universality
Themes that a wide range of users can commonly experience and find frightening or unpleasant, such as natural disasters, the safety of family members, or personal threats.
Specificity
Scenarios with detailed descriptions of the nightmare's environment and situation to implement concrete recall within a VR setting.
Clinical Appropriateness
Cases of nightmares experienced repeatedly rather than as a one-time event (with the goal of reproducing clinical situations where intervention is required for those with nightmare disorder).
Scenario collection from nightmare experiences
We collected data via convenience sampling and anonymous non-face-to-face surveys, then selected nightmares suitable for MVP scenarios and conducted post-verification, followed by additional interviews and consent with confirmed respondents.
Nightmare scenario collection
Convenience sampling primarily from acquaintances, anonymous non-face-to-face survey. Case recruitment by nightmare categories (e.g. being chased, physical aggression, interpersonal conflict, environmental abnormality, evil presence, accidents).
Response selection
Selecting nightmares suitable for MVP scenarios from collected data; verifying respondents through post-verification and classifying nightmare cases.
Additional interview and consent
Explaining research purpose and future plans to confirmed respondents, obtaining additional consent, and conducting follow-up interviews using Google Forms.
Design
- Project design concept and branding
- User scenarios and UX/UI design
- 3D character and map creation
Development
- Generative AI API integration for modeling
- On-device generative AI testing
- Runtime virtual scene editing (object control, avatar animation, etc.)
- XR gamification environment
We confirmed the feasibility of an initial service that applies IRT to XR, based on research on image rehearsal therapy.
What's Next
Future Direction
We plan to place greater emphasis on research, advance the service, and derive HCI implications.
Planned Work
- Expansion from nightmare disorder to broader sleep disorder treatment support
- Refinement of nightmare-overcoming process based on user experience
- Research questions and service effect validation
- Counselor–client participatory XR treatment support process