The use of virtual reality in the treatment of perinatal mood disorders

My project aims to complement the Toi, Moi, Bébé (TMB) program with a Virtual Reality (VR) system. The TMB program aims to prevent perinatal mood disorders, including depression and anxiety, by reducing experiential avoidance and improving self-soothing capacities, which are ideal targets for a VR system. Different applications will be developed for each component of the program based on a thorough literature review on what could be useful and co-design workshops with expecting parents to understand their needs. These applications will be split into passive and interactive VR tools. Passive tools would ideally provide parents with a safe space for mindfulness, self-compassion, and relaxation, while interactive tools would be games related to the parents’ interpersonal skills and help track their cognitive distortions. The different options of VR tools would help facilitate participant engagement, specifically for those who lack interest in classical pedagogical material. The VR system would ideally be a low-cost addition to the platform, to allow the wider public to have access to it.

Faculty Supervisor:

Anna MacKinnon

Student:

Partner:

University of Kent

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Education

University:

Université de Montréal

Program: