No Sweat: Jogging in a Virtual World Using Breath as Avatar ControlUsing Breath as Avatar Control

Abstract

AM) and virtual technologies suggest some potentially new and beneficial therapies that may help returning servicemen who present symptoms of psychological stress. CAM therapies are now being validated with evidence-based research. Data from the emerging field of Self-Perception Theory shows that use of avatars in virtual worlds can affect a users psychology and behavior. These findings and discussions with psychologists who use Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (a validated CAM therapy), and advice from experts in military social work, has led us to develop a virtual jogging system in the online virtual world of Second Life. Our system is novel in that we use breathing to control the movement of the avatar rather than keyboard controls. There is no spirometer but breath detection is instead done with a microphone by using the seldom-used volume level detection technology available in Second Life that is interpreted through a custom scripting solution.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2010
Accession Number
AD1171368

Entities

People

  • Dinesh Purohit
  • Eric Chance
  • Jacquelyn F. Morie
  • Kip Haynes

Organizations

  • University of Southern California

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Beta Testing
  • Biofeedback
  • Calibration
  • California
  • Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena
  • Crossings
  • Detection
  • Health Care
  • Keyboards
  • Microphones
  • Mindfulness
  • Perception
  • Psychology
  • Respiration
  • Training
  • Universities
  • Virtual Reality

Readers

  • Database Systems and Applications
  • Fault Tolerant Diagnosis of Black and White Balloon Isolation Tests Using ¥.
  • Psychological Intervention/Treatment for Stress, Anxiety, PTSD, and Related Emotional and Cognitive Health Symptoms.