Federica Achille

Dr. Federica Achille

University of Bergamo, Bergamo, Lombardy, Italy
+2

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

5Years (2022-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

View All Publications
10 September 2022 in Applied Sciences
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
FPFederica Pallavicini
Federica Pallavicini
EOEleonora Francesca Orena
Eleonora Francesca Orena
FAFederica Achille
Federica Achille
MCMaddalena Irma Cassa
Maddalena Irma Cassa
CVCostanza Vuolato
Costanza Vuolato
Fabrizia MantovaniFabrizia Mantovani
Fabrizia Mantovani
Virtual reality can help individuals to manage stress and anxiety. In addition to its efficacy in reducing stress and anxiety through relaxation, virtual reality can be helpful for psychoeducation. However, to date, few studies have explored this topic. Therefore, this mixed-methods sequential explanatory study, aimed to investigate the usability, sense of presence, emotional response, and effect on learning of MIND-VR, a psychoeducational virtual experience created to offer information on stress and anxiety. Twenty healthcare workers (60% female; mean age 43 ± 10) tried MIND-VR. Psychometric outcomes served as quantitative variables, while participant interviews provided qualitative data. Results showed that the virtual reality psychoeducational experience: (a) was highly usable and satisfying; (b) increased positive emotions (i.e., happiness and surprise) and decreased negative emotions (i.e., fear, sadness) and state anxiety; (c) elicited a strong sense of presence, especially spatial presence; and (d) was practical, simple, motivating, and engaging for learning information about stress and anxiety. These findings offer promising insights into that virtual reality may be an effective tool to provide psychoeducation.