Q+A: The Sights and Smells of Creative Arts Therapies in Virtual Reality – Drexel News Blog

3-D art created by a study participant. Image credit: Arun Ramakrishnan

In early 2019, Drexel Universitys College of Nursing and Health Professions and Johns Hopkins Universitys International Arts + Mind Lab (IAM Lab) formed a collaboration to examine how art therapy can be integrated into virtual reality-based expression to enhance patient care.

Some of the latest research conducted through this collaboration focused on the benefits of virtual reality (VR) on creative expression, with the inclusion of a fragrance stimulus. Led by Girija Kaimal, EdD, an associate professor in the College, and Susan Magsamen, executive director at IAM Lab, part of the Pedersen Brain Science Institute at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, the pilot study was published in late 2020 in Frontiers of Psychology.

Overall, the study showed participants responded positively to using VR for creative expressions through art making and the inclusion of the fragrance reduced negative affectsuch as feeling upset, hostile or distressed.

The researchers spoke with Drexel News Blog about the study and whats to come with VR in creative arts therapies.

Girija Kaimal (GK): The immersive environment offers a new way to being in space and allows for self-expression in three dimensions quite unlike anything in the real world. VR, although physically intangible, allows us to engage our senses in new ways, including our sense of being in space.

GK: People created things from memory, scenes of nature, as well as images that depicted aspects of their life. Interestingly, and perhaps because of the context of VR and the unique expressive tool options, there were also a lot of fantasy and playful images that we havent typically seen when participants use physical and fine arts media.

GK: The fragrance was selected to offset the fact the VR typically transports us out of the physical environment into a new visual space. The fragrance was meant to be calming, help orient and support the novel experience of being in a virtual environment.

GK: We were surprised at how invigorating the VR environment could be in terms of enhancing a range of mood states and self-perceptions of well-being and creativity. Fragrance which was a subtle diffused presence in the room seemed to help reduce negative affect (namely reduce negative mood).

Susan Magsamen (SM): What really shocked me was that the simple act of adding scent to VR did seem to impact participants art-making experience, by reducing negative emotions and improving self-confidence.

From a neurobiological perspective, we know quite a bit about the olfactory system and scents ability to evoke memories and reduce stress. But we dont have as much insight into how scent might enhance creativity.

But it makes sense that we should pursue these questions in the virtual realm. When you are designing a space in the physical world, like a restaurant or public park, you consider activation of all the senses, from the sights and sounds to the scents and textures. So, in bridging to a virtual world, we must consider all the senses at our disposal and how they might augment a VR experience targeting different therapeutic outcomes.

GK: I think it highlights the powerful role of creative self-expression, including in VR. VR studies typically have involved receptive experiences or doing activities. I am not aware of many studies that have examined the outcomes of engaging in creative expression in VR and it offers tremendous possibility for a range of populations, including those who might be intimidated or unable to use traditional art media. In addition, the positive impact of fragrance highlights the potential of the sensory system that can be harnessed further in therapeutic practices.

SM: This study demonstrates the opportunityand many questionsabout how we best adapt to virtual environments that support health and wellbeing. We launched this research well before the pandemic, but the need for digital therapeutic tools to get people access to help has exploded since then.

VR offers us new places to explore a full range of human emotionswithout ever leaving home, work, the hospital, school or any other location. This, in itself, democratizes access.

So in the near term, we need to expand sample sizes and replicate what weve observed in this pilot study. But I also hope this study catalyzes further exploration of virtual reality in service of health, wellbeing and learning. The future of research in this area is wide open and exciting.

We know VR simulates the real world, but it also has other attributes that are not fully understood. Our lab is beginning to think about how this intentional space can be better understood and used to support a range of health issues, including stress, anxiety, trauma, burnout and even depression. We are also interested in the role of VR to unleash creativity.

GK: We are excited to share this study that highlights the value of multi-institutional and multi-disciplinary collaborations and in particular the importance of self-expression (with new digital tools like in VR) for health and well-being.

Media interested in speaking with Kaimal should contact Annie Korp, news manager, at 215-571-4244 or amk522@drexel.edu.

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Q+A: The Sights and Smells of Creative Arts Therapies in Virtual Reality - Drexel News Blog