This study aimed to explore the effectiveness of Virtual Reality Therapy (VRT) in treating anxiety and PTSD in the Philippines, being compared to traditional exposure therapy. The research focused on understanding both the advantages and limitations of Virtual Reality Therapy, as well as how it is practiced locally. To achieve these goals, data has been collected through interviews with medical practitioners and patients who have undergone, or are familiar with Virtual Reality Therapy. The data helped us gain insights into the current practices, perceived effectiveness, and challenges related to Virtual Reality Therapy in the Philippine context.

Methods

The primary method of data gathering for this research is done through semi-structured interviews. This method was chosen because it allowed for both guided and open-ended responses, giving participants space to share detailed experiences and opinions. Interviews were conducted via email and online platforms to ensure convenience and accessibility for participants.

We have prepared two sets of interview questions in our interview guide, one for medical practitioners and one for patients. The guide for medical practitioners covers topics such as the following; their experience with rehabilitation therapies, understanding of Virtual Reality Therapy compared to traditional exposure therapy, the process of Virtual Reality Therapy in the Philippines, the equipment used, and the challenges and ethical considerations of using Virtual Reality (VR) in clinical practice. The guide for patients focuses on their personal experiences with Virtual Reality Therapy, including how they learned about it, the process they went through, their feelings before and after therapy, and the perceived benefits or limitations.

During interviews, participants have been assigned pseudonyms to protect their identities. If requested, the participant can also opt out of having a pseudonym. Interview responses will be documented, and transcripts will be produced for analysis. Participants will be given the chance to review their transcripts and request corrections if needed to ensure accuracy and respect for their confidentiality.

Participants & Sampling

This study involved two groups of participants:
● Medical practitioners (internal medicine doctor, psychiatrist, and family doctor) who have knowledge with VRT and exposure therapy for anxiety and PTSD in the Philippines.
● Patient who has undergone VRT for these conditions.

We are targeting at least three medical practitioners and one patient for interviews, in line with the minimum participant requirement set by our program. Participants will be selected through purposive sampling, as we are looking for individuals who can provide relevant and informed perspectives on VRT. Medical practitioners will be chosen based on their expertise in rehabilitation treatment involving VR or traditional exposure therapy. Patients will be selected based on their actual experience with VRT.

This sampling strategy allows us to gather detailed, experience-based insights on how VR Therapy works in practice, how it compares to traditional methods, and what challenges and opportunities exist for its wider use in the Philippines.

Ethical Considerations

All participants will receive an informed consent form explaining the purpose of the study, what their participation involves, and how their data will be used. Participation is entirely voluntary, and participants have the right to withdraw at any time without penalty. Interview data will be kept confidential, and any published quotes or summaries will be anonymized. If participants agree, we will ask for permission to use direct quotes in our academic outputs, using pseudonyms to protect their identities.

The study has been reviewed and approved by the Capstone Committee of the Multimedia Arts Program. Should any participants have concerns about their participation, they may contact the assigned researcher or Capstone Coordinator as noted in the consent form.