Browsing by Author "Monteiro, Maria Luís"
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- Enter the virtual forest: exploring the benefits of forest therapy in a digital worldPublication . Soutelo, Ana Paula; Simões De Almeida, Raquel; Sousa, Ana Rita; Simões-Silva, Vítor; Monteiro, Maria Luís; Portugal, PaulaOne of the many challenges of this urbanization is significantly reflected in the distribution of urban green spaces, which may still not meet the needs of all inhabitants and preclude the many benefits that urban green spaces bring to mental health. From this perspective, Shinrin-Yoku emerged a traditional Japanese practice known as Forest Therapy (FT) or Forest Bathing (FB), as a natural health treatment. Using virtual reality, in addition, makes it possible to reproduce scenarios or environments that, in certain contexts, it would be almost impossible to recreate in real life. Thus, VR can provide opportunities and allow many more people to benefit from the best therapies and positive outcomes. It’s important to note that the research on this union is still in its early stages, however, exploring this field represents, in many ways, a unique opportunity for healthcare, and would reach a wider population, providing the best possible therapy for everyone who could benefit from it.
- Virtual reality therapy: the power of role-playing social skillsPublication . Soutelo, Ana Paula; Sousa, Ana Rita; Monteiro, Maria Luís; Fernandes, Ângela; Coelho, Tiago; Portugal, PaulaRole-play (RP) is a technique for teaching communication and training interpersonal skills, known for its effective way of transmitting learning, in which simulation is one of its main distinguishing features. Social skills, moreover, are behaviors that involve the interpersonal relationship carried out in each social context. Although social skills training is consensually considered one of the most beneficial approaches to improving social functioning in individuals with mental illness, long-term motivation deficits diminish its effectiveness. Virtual reality technology effectively solves the motivation problem, providing a realistic and immersive experience that allows for role-playing of social skills. They provide presence and allow individuals to practice and enhance their social skills. The benefits of both RP and VR technology are clear, and the combination of the two has even greater potential. However, there is still a limited amount of research on the impact of VR in the practice of RP, so further investigation is crucial.