Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) thrives on realistic scenarios that safely and controlled confront patients with their fears. For these contents to be usable not only technically but also in psychotherapy, close collaboration between therapists, video production, and product management is essential..
In the following, we will show how a new VR video series is created at Lab E – from the initial idea to its use in therapy.
A Practical Example: Needle Phobia
A therapist reports that many patients with needle phobia avoid going for blood draws. This not only affects their health but also complicates necessary treatments. Based on this, the idea arises to develop a VR exposure in a doctor's office: Initially, the patient waits in a calm waiting room, and then she is taken to the treatment room. There, the stimuli gradually increase, from the sight of the syringe on the table to the disinfection of the arm, culminating in a simulated injection.
This example shows how a practical impulse becomes a clearly defined scenario. In order for the content to be reproducible and applicable to different patients, the implementation then follows a systematic approach.
1. Practical impulses from therapists
At the beginning are the clinical requirements. Therapists contribute which situations are particularly relevant for their patients, whether it is the ride in the elevator, participation in class, or the stay in a doctor's office waiting room. These impulses form the basis for all further steps.
2. Indication-specific assignment
In order for the videos to be used effectively, we assign each scenario to an indication (e.g., phobia), a category (e.g., social phobia), and a diagnostic variant (e.g., school anxiety - teacher or student). This allows exposure exercises to be precisely integrated into treatment plans, for example, when a child has school anxiety but it is not yet clear whether it is more about the teacher or the other students.
3. Multi-parameter graded scenarios
A central element is the gradation of the scenarios. Each video is planned along several parameters: intensity, dynamics, movement, volume, and tension. The video script specifies how the parameters are to be increased so that patients receive the appropriate stimuli: from a calm start with low stimulus density to high-intensity confrontation. This allows therapists to later select the exposure individually and according to the progress of therapy using filters.
4. Planning of the video shoots
Based on the scripts, the concrete production planning takes place. We work with professional actors and shoot at real locations to ensure maximum authenticity and applicability to everyday life. This includes location reservations, legal clearances, and careful organization to optimize the effort for the clinic and production team.
5. The Shooting Day
On set, the planned scenario is implemented with 360° cameras. Special attention is paid to continuity and repeatability: each scene must be produced in a way that it can be reliably used in therapy later. Sound, camera movements, and acting are precisely coordinated with each other.
6. Post-Production
After the shoot, the real fine-tuning begins. In post-production, the footage is edited, color-corrected, and technically optimized. This results in high-quality VR videos that have an immersive effect in therapy. This also includes thumbnails and previews that assist therapists in selecting the appropriate scenes.
7. Technical Preparation for the Video Store
Before the videos are integrated into the virtual library of the VT system, a technical characterization is performed. Resolution, file size, streaming quality, and compatibility with the used VR headsets are checked and optimized. Only after that is the material uploaded to the video library.
8. Feedback loop with therapists
Finally, the new content will be presented to the therapists. They will have the opportunity to test the videos, implement them in practice, and provide feedback. This feedback will be incorporated into the optimization and planning of further scenarios – thus creating a cycle of clinical relevance and technical advancement.
Conclusion
The production of VR videos for VRET is an interdisciplinary process: therapists provide the clinical requirements, production teams implement them with technical and cinematic expertise, and IT ensures secure integration into the system. Only when all perspectives are considered do VR contents emerge that can be used effectively and purposefully in therapy to be realistic, safe, and relevant.
Offer
From the initial idea to the go-live in the VR video library, the entire process at Lab E typically takes four to eight weeks. This time includes concept development, filming, post-production, technical integration, and feedback loops. The result: VR content that seamlessly integrates into the therapy routine and provides real value for patients and practitioners.
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