Olfactory Virtual Reality
Tomasi et al., 2021
Background: As part of a consistent effort to examine and provide integrative medical approaches to the therapeutic offering for psy-chophysical health, this study investigates the utilization of Olfactory Virtual Reality (OVR) in an inpatient psychiatry unit, more specifically in the Shepardson 3 Objectives: The purpose of this protocol is to explore the therapeutic value of olfactory virtual reality (OVR) in the above described population , and to collect statistically significant data to determine the feasibility of potential future OVR studies. Method: Direct subject observation and monitoring in the context of Olfactory Virtual Reality (OVR) sessions and Qualitative data collection via the administration of subject surveys, subdivided in: a) Pre-OVR experience, b) Immediate post-OVR experience, and c) 1-to-3-hour post-OVR experience questionnaires. Results: The research yielded positive outcomes in all areas investigated , despite challenges related to the utilization of the device itself, issues in individual olfactory threshold, and COVID-19 restrictions and limitations. Conclusion: The outcome of this study indicates that the utilization of olfactory virtual reality technologies is a safe and effective integrative approach to target several aspects of psychological and physical health such as anxiety, stress, and pain, in combination with the psychothera-peutic and pharmacological standards of care in inpatient psychiatry.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/350157692_Olfactory_Virtual_Reality_OVR_for_Wellbeing_and_Reduction_of_Stress_Anxiety_and_Pain