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  • Technological interventions in mental health: A VR and mobile-based gamification approach for anxiety management
    Publication . MASCARENHAS, RICARDO OLIVEIRA; Carvalho, Carlos Miguel Miranda Vaz de
    Anxiety and panic attacks are among the most prevalent mental health challenges today, significantly impacting individuals’ daily lives, emotional stability, and overall well-being. Despite the availability of effective therapeutic techniques, such as guided meditation and breathing exercises, many individuals struggle to access and apply these tools consistently, particularly during acute episodes. This gap reveals the need for accessible, personalized, and engaging digital interventions that support both prevention and crisis management. This thesis presents the design, development, and evaluation of a digital solution that leverages Virtual Reality (VR) and mobile applications to assist individuals in managing anxiety. The system integrates evidence-based techniques into two primary modules: a Daily Work Module, promoting regular emotional regulation, and an SOS Module, for immediate intervention during crises. To maximize user engagement, the solution incorporates gamification elements grounded in psychological principles. Specifically, it maps the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding technique to a sequence of interactive, sensory-focused mini-games. The development follows a lifecyclebased Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) and a Design-Based Research (DBR) methodology. The prototype was evaluated with two major approaches, involving usability testing (SUS) and qualitative feedback from both mental health experts and end-users. The results confirmed the high usability and therapeutic potential of the application. Participants reported significant feelings of calmness and immersion, highlighting the effectiveness of the breathing and interactive grounding phases. The SOS mode was consistently validated as a valuable and reassuring feature for crisis management. Ethical considerations, such as data privacy and informed consent under GDPR, were paramount throughout the design. The outcome is a validated, user-centered framework for a gamified mental health tool that combines therapeutic efficacy with technological innovation, demonstrating a promising direction for accessible and engaging digital interventions.
    2025-07-23Dissertação de mestrado Acesso aberto Ver mais