Auditory-visual virtual environments to treat dog phobia

In this paper we present the design, development, and usability testing of an auditory-visual based interactive environment for investigating virtual reality exposure-based treatment for cynophobia. The application is developed upon a framework that integrates different algorithms of the CROSSMOD project (www.crossmod.org). We discuss the on-going work and preliminary observations, so as to further the development of auditory-visual environment for virtual reality. Traditionally, virtual reality concentrates primarily on the presentation of high fidelity visual experience. We aim at demonstrating that combining adequately the visual and the auditory experience provides a powerful tool to enhance sensory processing and modulate attention.

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