Assessing Virtual Reality's potential to influence emotional states from negative to provide an instant positive effect

Abstract

Human beings' emotional states are strong yet delicate where any trigger of any size can cause it to reverse/worsen instantly into an uncontrollable state, such as a Panic attack. Panic Attacks are an episode of heightened negative emotions that causes difficulty in breathing, increased heartbeat and shaking to name a few. This study explores Virtual Reality (VR), an immersive technology, as a solution to manipulate emotional states from negative to provide an instant positive effect, instant being at 10 seconds for this study. By experimenting on nine participants who went through two negative and positive scenarios, their heart rate, as they changed from negative to positive scenario were analyzed. The findings proved to be fruitful as all participants experienced a decrease in heart rate, at least in one of the markers set at either 10 seconds or 1 minute. This study is an initial step with positive outcomes that VR does have the potential to manipulate and influence emotional states from negative to positive instantly.