@inproceedings{lopesSubjectiveObjectiveEvaluation2025,

title = {Subjective and Objective Evaluation of the Benefits of Multisensory Virtual Nature Immersion for Patients with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder},

author = {M. K. S. Lopes and L. Perreault and B. J. De Jesus and M. -C. Roberge and T. H. Falk},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105023830754?origin=resultslist},

doi = {10.1109/QoMEX65720.2025.11219945},

isbn = {979-833155435-4 (ISBN)},

year  = {2025},

date = {2025-01-01},

booktitle = {Int. Conf. Qual. Multimed. Exp., QoMEX},

publisher = {Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.},

abstract = {Multisensory virtual nature immersion has been shown to assist with mental health management. In this paper, we look at the benefits of two multisensory immersion modalities for patients diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The modalities include: (1) a portable solution that integrates scent diffusion within the head-mounted display (HMD), and (2) a pod-based solution, in which a multisensory pod provides olfactory and haptic feedback (i.e., wind and vibrations) alongside audio-visual information via the HMD. We assess the two methods subjectively, via numerous questionnaires, and objectively, via measures computed from electroencephalography signals. The pod-based intervention resulted in greater improvements in PTSD symptoms and in sustained attention, with improvements in several objective measures of user experience, including engagement, valence, arousal, and sense of immersion/presence. © 2025 IEEE.},

note = {Journal Abbreviation: Int. Conf. Qual. Multimed. Exp., QoMEX},

keywords = {Audio-visual information, EEG, Electroencephalography, Electronic nose, Electrophysiology, Haptic feedbacks, Head-mounted-displays, Health management, Human computer interaction, Mental health, Multisensory, Multisensory nature immersion, Occupational diseases, Patient monitoring, posttraumatic stress disorder, PTSD, Subjective and objective evaluations, User experience, User interfaces, Users' experiences, virtual reality},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {inproceedings}

}

@inproceedings{lopesGenerativeAIPersonalized2025,

title = {Generative AI for Personalized Multisensory Immersive Experiences: Challenges and Opportunities for Stress Reduction},

author = {M. K. S. Lopes and T. H. Falk},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105005149501?origin=resultslist},

doi = {10.1109/VRW66409.2025.00036},

isbn = {979-833151484-6 (ISBN)},

year  = {2025},

date = {2025-01-01},

booktitle = {Proc. - IEEE Conf. Virtual Real. 3D User Interfaces Abstr. Workshops, VRW},

pages = {143–146},

publisher = {Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.},

abstract = {Stress management and relaxation are critical areas of interest in mental health and well-being. Forest bathing is a practice that has been shown to have a positive effect on reducing stress by stimulating all the senses in an immersive nature experience. Since access to nature is not universally available to everyone, virtual reality has emerged as a promising tool to simulate this type of experience. Furthermore, generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools offer new opportunities to create highly personalized and immersive experiences that can enhance relaxation and reduce stress. This study explores the potential of personalized multisensory VR environments, designed using GenAI tools, to optimize relaxation and stress relief via two experiments that are currently underway. The first evaluates the effectiveness of non-personalized versus personalized VR scenes generated using AI tools to promote increased relaxation. The second explores the potential benefits of providing the user with additional personalization tools, from adding new virtual elements to the AI-generated scene, to adding AI-generated sounds and scent/haptics customization. Ultimately, this research aims to identify which customizable elements may lead to improved therapeutic benefits for multisensory VR experiences. © 2025 IEEE.},

note = {Journal Abbreviation: Proc. - IEEE Conf. Virtual Real. 3D User Interfaces Abstr. Workshops, VRW},

keywords = {Artificial intelligence tools, Environment personalization, Forest bathing, Generative AI, Immersive, Multi-Sensory, Multi-sensory virtual reality, Multisensory, Personalizations, relaxation, virtual reality, Virtualization},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {inproceedings}

}

@inproceedings{dejesusElectroencephalographyNeuromarkersPredict2025,

title = {Electroencephalography Neuromarkers to Predict the Response of a Multisensory Virtual Reality Nature Immersion Intervention for Patients Diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder},

author = {B. De Jesus and M. Lopes and L. Perreault and M. -C. Roberge and A. A. De Oliveira and T. H. Falk},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105033154892?origin=resultslist},

doi = {10.1109/SMC58881.2025.11342787},

isbn = {1062922X (ISSN); 979-833153358-8 (ISBN)},

year  = {2025},

date = {2025-01-01},

booktitle = {Conf. Proc. IEEE Int. Conf. Syst. Man Cybern.},

pages = {6033–6038},

publisher = {Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.},

abstract = {Immersive virtual reality (VR) applications rapidly expand across domains, including training, gaming, and healthcare. More recently, multisensory immersive experiences, including olfactory and haptic stimulation, have emerged and shown great promise, especially for interventions in well-being and mental health management. Multisensory experiences, however, are very subjective (e.g., one subject may like certain smells, while others do not), and recent results have suggested that some participants may not respond positively to the treatment. As multisensory VR interventions can be costly and time-consuming for both patients and clinicians, being able to find neuromarkers that predict intervention outcomes would be invaluable. Here, we aim to take the first steps in the development of a neuromarker to predict the response to a multisensory nature immersion VR intervention. A pilot experiment was performed with twenty patients diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. Potential neuromarkers are extracted from electroencephalography (EEG) signals measured from an instrumented VR headset. We show that some EEG patterns start to differ between responders and non-responders as early as the fourth session, i.e., one-third of the way into the entire intervention. This suggests that neuromarkers to predict the outcomes of a multisensory VR immersion intervention may exist. These markers could be used not only to save time and resources for clinicians and patients but also to promote precision treatment where interventions are adjusted to each patient, maximizing success rates. © 2025 IEEE.},

note = {Journal Abbreviation: Conf. Proc. IEEE Int. Conf. Syst. Man Cybern.},

keywords = {Biomedical signal processing, Diseases, Electroencephalography, electroencephalography (EEG), Electrophysiology, Haptics, Immersive, Immersive virtual reality, Multisensory, Nature immersion, Odors, Olfactory, Patient monitoring, Patient treatment, Post-traumatic stress disorder, Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), posttraumatic stress disorder, virtual reality, virtual reality (VR)},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {inproceedings}

}