Technological foundation for digital, VR-based therapy and research systems

The VTplus VR Platform is the technological foundation for VR-based therapy and research systems developed by VTplus. It connects VR simulation software, coordinated VR technology, interactive virtual environments and interfaces to measurement, interaction and stimulation systems.

As a modular platform, it provides the shared technological basis for clinically deployable VR therapy systems, empirical VR research and the development of new digital therapy and rehabilitation applications – from exposure and behavioural exercises to neurorehabilitation and VR-BCI-based research and therapy concepts.

The platform combines reusable software, hardware, interface and content modules into a scalable technological infrastructure. This enables the efficient transfer of proven solutions into new medical fields of application and provides strategic partners and industrial development partners with a future-ready basis for digital therapy, rehabilitation and research systems as well as VR-based healthcare applications.

Platform Architecture and System Modules

The VTplus VR Platform comprises several coordinated layers:

• VR simulation software for presenting, controlling and documenting virtual environments
• interactive virtual scenarios and content modules for therapy, training, evaluation and research
• control of different rendering and graphics engines for the presentation of immersive VR environments, depending on system generation, application and technical target environment
• coordinated VR technology with head-mounted displays, projection technology, tracking, computing hardware and VR output systems
• control and user interfaces for therapeutic or experimental applications
• interfaces to measurement systems, biosignals, eye tracking, stimulation systems for olfactory, thermal, electrical or aerodynamic stimuli, motion simulators, imaging modalities such as fMRI and other project-specific peripheral devices
• functions for the structured execution, adaptation, synchronisation and documentation of sessions or experimental procedures

Depending on the research or application context, VR scenarios can be combined with measurement, stimulation, motion or imaging systems, for example to record physiological responses, present stimuli under controlled conditions or synchronise experimental procedures.

This allows the platform to serve as a shared technical basis for clinically deployable VR therapy systems, customised VR research systems and application-oriented development projects.

Compatible Measurement, Stimulation and Peripheral Systems

Depending on the research or application context, VR scenarios within the VTplus VR Platform can be combined and synchronised with various measurement, stimulation, interaction and imaging systems. These include, in particular, the following technologies that have been implemented in scientific studies:

• Input devices and interaction systems, such as controllers, joysticks, steering wheels, pedals or other project-specific interfaces
• Eye tracking for recording and processing gaze direction, visual attention and gaze-related interaction data
• Motion and position tracking for head tracking, body movement, object tracking and spatial interaction
• Psychophysiological and neurophysiological measurement systems for recording EEG, ECG, EDA, EMG, respiratory rate and other biosignals
• Brain-computer interfaces (BCI) and neurofeedback systems, for example for EEG-based feedback or brain-state-dependent control
• fMRI-compatible research setups with synchronisation via scanner triggers or TR pulses
• Olfactometers and olfactory stimulation systems for the controlled presentation of odour stimuli
• Thermal stimulation systems for the presentation of heat or cold stimuli
• Electrical, tactile or nociceptive stimulation systems for controlled sensory or pain-related stimulus presentation
• Aerodynamic stimulation systems, for example for the presentation of airflow or wind stimuli
• Motion simulators and motion platforms, for example to combine virtual scenarios with vestibular or motion-related stimuli
• Non-invasive brain stimulation methods, such as TMS or iTBS, combined with VR paradigms under study-specific protocols

This technical integrability makes it possible not only to present VR scenarios, but also to connect them with measurement, stimulus presentation, interaction, motion simulation and experimental synchronisation. As a result, controllable research setups can be implemented for therapy research, basic research, neuroscience, safety research and human-computer interaction research.

VR Simulation Software and CyberSession

A central component of the platform is the proprietary VTplus experiment control and VR simulation software CyberSession. It enables the execution, control and documentation of interactive VR simulations for behavioural exercises, therapeutic applications and empirical studies.

CyberSession can present virtual scenarios under controlled conditions, manage experimental conditions and procedures, capture interactions and process measurement or interface data. This makes the software suitable both for standardised experimental paradigms and for therapist-guided VR sessions.

Depending on the application, VR simulations can be presented using VR headsets, PowerWall or CAVE projections, as well as other technical configurations. Tracking systems, input devices, eye tracking, physiological measurement systems or external stimulation systems can also be integrated.

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Application Fields Based on the VTplus VR Platform

Clinically Deployable VR Therapy Systems

Based on the VTplus VR Platform, clinically deployable VR therapy systems have been developed for inpatient and outpatient facilities. These include, in particular, systems for VR-based exposure and behavioural exercises in psychotherapy.

The platform enables therapists to use virtual situations in a structured, controlled and individually adjustable manner. Typical fields of application include exposure exercises for specific phobias, social anxiety or addiction-related behavioural patterns, as well as complementary mindfulness and relaxation exercises.

The system architecture takes into account not only the VR presentation itself, but also usability, therapeutic control, session documentation, technical integration and the requirements of professional use in hospitals, outpatient clinics and therapy practices.

Further information can be found in the article VR Therapy Overview and on the page VR Therapy Systems.

VR Research Systems and Empirical Research

The VTplus VR Platform also forms the basis for VR research systems used for experimental data acquisition. Virtual reality enables controllable, standardised and repeatable research conditions in which behaviour, emotion, perception, attention and physiological responses can be studied in realistic situations under experimental control.

In empirical VR research, virtual environments can be adapted and reused for different research questions. They can be used to capture approach and avoidance behaviour, gaze and movement patterns, interactions with virtual agents or responses to specific stimuli.

The platform has been used in numerous research fields, including anxiety research, therapy research, neurophysiological research, pharmacological and psychophysiological studies, safety research and further areas of experimental psychology.

The article Empirical Research Using Virtual Reality provides detailed information on methodological foundations, research applications, application examples and selected publications.

Technical system solutions for empirical VR research and individually configurable VR laboratory setups are described on the page Virtual Reality Research Systems.

Project-Based Research and Development

The VTplus VR Platform has been used and extended over many years in collaborative R&D projects as well as in cooperation with academic and clinical users. These activities have led to the development and scientific evaluation of new interfaces, control modules, scenarios, demonstrators and integrable system components.

Examples of project-based platform extensions and investigated aspects include:

• EVElyn
  Further development of mobile VR exposure systems and therapeutic VR environments for the outpatient treatment of anxiety disorders.
  • Investigation of usability, interaction, tolerability and practical applicability of a user-centred VR therapy system for outpatient exposure exercises.
  • Evaluation of control, navigation and interaction methods and their influence on learning outcomes, cybersickness, presence and anxiety experience.
  • Extension of the integrated system concept for mobile VR exposure exercises, variation options and accompanying documentation.
• OPTAPEB
  Extension of the platform with adaptive scenario control, multimodal data processing, biosignal-related interfaces, virtual agents and AI-supported intervention concepts.
  • Development of adaptive control and interaction concepts for patient-centred VR therapy processes.
  • Extension of the platform with virtual agents, micro-interventions and AI-supported decision logic for more complex therapy scenarios.
  • Integration of multimodal data sources, including movement, gaze direction, speech, self-reports and physiological parameters, to capture emotional and physiological responses and process therapy-related target constructs such as anxiety, attention and safety behaviour.
  • Evaluation of virtual co-therapy, AI-supported intervention suggestions and data-based support in psychotherapeutic as well as adjacent training and rehabilitation contexts.
• REHALITY
  Transfer of VTplus expertise in immersive VR control and biosignal integration to digital neurorehabilitation and closed-loop approaches after stroke.
  • Development of a VR-based neurorehabilitation demonstrator with EEG-/EMG-dependent control and closed-loop feedback.
  • Extension of the platform logic to brain-state- and movement-related feedback loops.
  • Development of immersive VR environments, avatar and interaction functions and feedback processes to enable simulated movement experience even when real movement is limited.
• VirtualNoPain
  Further development of the platform for VR-BCI-based applications in pain therapy, neurofeedback and telemedicine-compatible application concepts.
  • Combination of virtual reality, EEG-based feedback and brain-computer interface concepts for pain-related research and therapy approaches.
  • Development of several generations of VR-BCI demonstrators to investigate presence, pain experience, pain induction and EEG/alpha neurofeedback.
  • Development and integration of VR scenarios, feedback mechanisms and therapeutic control concepts for a VR-BCI system.

These projects show how the platform can be used beyond individual product generations as a reusable technological foundation for new medical and scientific applications.

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Platform Rather Than a Stand-Alone Solution

The VTplus VR Platform is not a stand-alone application and not an isolated software module. It provides the shared technical architecture on which different systems, scenarios, control functions and research configurations are built.

This allows applications for psychotherapy, rehabilitation, research, training and development to rely on shared technical modules without requiring each system to be designed from scratch. The platform therefore supports both the standardisation of proven solutions and their extension into new fields of application.

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Further Information