How can you design AR experiences for people with anxiety disorders?

Augmented reality (AR) is a technology that enhances the real world with digital information, such as images, sounds, or text. AR can offer many benefits for education, entertainment, and health, but it can also pose some challenges for people with anxiety disorders. Anxiety disorders are a group of mental health conditions that cause excessive fear, nervousness, or worry in various situations. In this article, you will learn how to design AR experiences that are accessible and inclusive for people with anxiety disorders, and how to avoid triggering or worsening their symptoms.

1 Understand the needs and preferences of your users

The first step to design AR experiences for people with anxiety disorders is to understand their needs and preferences. You can do this by conducting user research, such as interviews, surveys, or observations, to learn about their goals, motivations, challenges, and expectations. You can also involve them in the design process, by asking for feedback, testing prototypes, or co-creating solutions. By understanding your users, you can create AR experiences that are relevant, meaningful, and enjoyable for them.

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Yulanda Harris, Ed.D, CNP

🧠♾🧩Redefining Leadership: ✨Neuro-Inclusion Consultant Building a World Where Neurodiversity is Our Strength, Not a Label✨
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Crafting AR (Augmented Reality) experiences for anxiety requires a delicate balance. Involve the users through research and collaboration. Offer adjustable immersion and realism by allowing users to immerse at their own pace. Focus on calming elements: soothing visuals, soundscapes, and interactive activities that promote mindfulness and relaxation. Empower users with choice and control by allowing them to customize the experience and opt out of potentially triggering elements. Remember, AR (Augmented Reality) should be a tool for anxiety reduction, not escalation.

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Justin Withrow

Co-Founder | CEO at Harmonifi | Driving Innovative Health Solutions and Empowering Patients with Accessible Knowledge
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Augmented Reality (AR) can significantly aid in managing anxiety disorders. It offers controlled exposure therapy, allowing gradual confrontation with stressors in a safe environment. Additionally, AR can create soothing, personalized experiences, serving as a calming presence during anxiety triggers. Designing these experiences requires understanding the specific needs and triggers of individuals. Tailoring AR applications to each person's unique experience with anxiety ensures effectiveness. Monitoring vitals during AR sessions also helps gauge the impact and efficacy of the therapy.

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Saob Bae (vich)

Partnership Manager
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Clear and Customizable Settings: Allow users to customize settings related to visual and auditory elements. Provide options to adjust the intensity of AR effects, brightness, and sound volume. Clear and straightforward settings contribute to a sense of control for the user.

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2 Choose the appropriate level of immersion and realism

The second step to design AR experiences for people with anxiety disorders is to choose the appropriate level of immersion and realism. Immersion is the degree to which the user feels engaged and involved in the AR environment, while realism is the degree to which the digital information matches the real world. Depending on the type and severity of the anxiety disorder, some users may prefer low levels of immersion and realism, to avoid feeling overwhelmed or detached from reality. Others may prefer high levels of immersion and realism, to enhance their sense of presence and agency. You can adjust the level of immersion and realism by using different types of AR devices, such as head-mounted displays, smartphones, or tablets, and by varying the amount and quality of the digital information.

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Justin Withrow

Co-Founder | CEO at Harmonifi | Driving Innovative Health Solutions and Empowering Patients with Accessible Knowledge
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In AR therapy for anxiety, it's extremely important to tailor the immersion level to each patient. This is gradual. You wouldn't prescribe the highest dose of medicine to a patient on the first visit, AR in therapy is similar. For some, a lighter touch works best, allowing them to stay connected with their surroundings - think of a mom who needs to keep an eye on her child while still benefiting from AR's calming effects. Others might benefit more from deeper immersion, especially those dealing with pain, anxiety, or PTSD. This deeper dive can create a sense of detachment, making it easier for them to open up about deep-seated traumas in therapy. It's all about finding that right balance.

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3 Provide control and customization options

The third step to design AR experiences for people with anxiety disorders is to provide control and customization options. Control is the ability of the user to influence the AR environment, such as starting, stopping, or pausing the experience, or changing the viewpoint, the pace, or the difficulty. Customization is the ability of the user to personalize the AR environment, such as choosing the content, the theme, the sound, or the color. By providing control and customization options, you can empower your users and make them feel more comfortable and confident in the AR experience.

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Justin Withrow

Co-Founder | CEO at Harmonifi | Driving Innovative Health Solutions and Empowering Patients with Accessible Knowledge
(edited)
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One key thing I've noticed in clinical trials- autonomy is crucial. Personalization of their own experience lets them gradually find their therapeutic sweet spot. Everyone's different, right? A young, tech-savvy person might dive deep into VR/AR faster than, say, a 70-something who loves books and nature walks. Different generations, different brains – that's why a one-size-fits-all approach just doesn't cut it.

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4 Use positive and supportive feedback

The fourth step to design AR experiences for people with anxiety disorders is to use positive and supportive feedback. Feedback is the information that the user receives from the AR environment, such as sounds, vibrations, or messages, that indicate the status, the progress, or the outcome of the experience. Positive and supportive feedback can motivate your users and reinforce their achievements and skills. For example, you can use praise, rewards, badges, or progress bars to show your users how well they are doing and how much they have learned. You can also use feedback to guide your users and help them overcome challenges or errors. For example, you can use hints, tips, or tutorials to show your users what to do next or how to improve.

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Sarah Ramos de Ávila

Direção de Criação | Arte Digital | XR
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Offering customizable settings allows users to tailor their experience, providing a sense of control. Gradual exposure, user-controlled feedback, and clear guidance within the AR environment help manage anxiety triggers.

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5 Consider the context and the scenario of the AR experience

The fifth step to design AR experiences for people with anxiety disorders is to consider the context and the scenario of the AR experience. The context is the physical and social environment where the AR experience takes place, such as indoors or outdoors, public or private, noisy or quiet, crowded or empty. The scenario is the story or the goal of the AR experience, such as learning, playing, or exploring. Depending on the context and the scenario, some AR experiences may be more suitable or enjoyable for people with anxiety disorders than others. For example, some users may prefer AR experiences that are calm, relaxing, or familiar, while others may prefer AR experiences that are exciting, challenging, or novel. You can design the context and the scenario of the AR experience by considering the purpose, the audience, and the location of the AR experience.

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6 Test and evaluate the AR experience with your users

The sixth and final step to design AR experiences for people with anxiety disorders is to test and evaluate the AR experience with your users. Testing and evaluating the AR experience can help you identify and fix any issues or problems that may affect the usability, the accessibility, or the satisfaction of your users. You can test and evaluate the AR experience by using different methods, such as usability testing, user feedback, or analytics. You can also measure the impact of the AR experience on your users' anxiety levels, by using different tools, such as questionnaires, interviews, or physiological sensors. By testing and evaluating the AR experience with your users, you can ensure that you have created an AR experience that is safe, effective, and enjoyable for people with anxiety disorders.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How can you design AR experiences for people with anxiety disorders?

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1 Understand the needs and preferences of your users

2 Choose the appropriate level of immersion and realism

3 Provide control and customization options

4 Use positive and supportive feedback

5 Consider the context and the scenario of the AR experience

6 Test and evaluate the AR experience with your users

7 Here’s what else to consider

Augmented Reality

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How can you design AR experiences for people with anxiety disorders?

1

2

3

4

5

6

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1 Understand the needs and preferences of your users

2 Choose the appropriate level of immersion and realism

3 Provide control and customization options

4 Use positive and supportive feedback

5 Consider the context and the scenario of the AR experience

6 Test and evaluate the AR experience with your users

7 Here’s what else to consider

Augmented Reality

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