How to use immersive storytelling as an anti-anxiety treatment
StoryUP’s Chief Storyteller Sarah Hill says VR non-fiction storytelling could influence anti-anxiety states
Virtual reality is not a new medium, it’s been around for decades. But we are at the very early stages of discovering the true potential of this technology.
In order to better understand how virtual reality can shape anti-anxiety treatments, a group of digital storytellers have come together under the umbrella of a VR native media company called StoryUP.
Led by Sarah Hill, these creative journalists feel non-fiction immersive storytelling can be more than just a tool for information and entertainment.
But why virtual reality and immersive storytelling?
According to Sarah Hill, virtual reality is a therapeutic medium than others. In immersive media stories are more intimate, and they seem more real. “What we’ve learned with our honoreverywhere.com programs for Veterans is that VR non-fiction storytelling can have a positive, powerful impact on people,” says Hill.
To back up that statement, Sarah Hill partnered with Dr. Jeff Tarrant of the Neuromeditation Institute to test her theories. Back in 2016, Dr. Tarrant crafted a case study to look at how immersive storytelling might affect specific areas of the brain.
“In our case studies, we learned VR stories can influence specific brain wave patterns associated with a quieter mind. We see this in the body language of people who watch our stories. We see their breath slow and their bodies relax. Compared to how people used to experience our stories in the flat world, we realized people aren’t just watching immersive story, they’re feeling it.”
Sarah says, her team is still learning which kinds of storytelling inputs affect specific brain wave patterns.
“We’re compounding media experiences much like you would a drug to try to influence a specific outcome. We hold a provisional patent on the methodology of tailoring an immersive story to produce a specific brain wave pattern. In three case studies, we’ve learned VR stories can produce specific brain wave patterns indicative of a relaxed mind.”
We feel immersive story can be used to quiet the brain
“Research already shows VR can be just as effective as a dose of a hydromorphone, a painkiller. We feel immersive story can also influence physiology. Our partners at the Neuromeditation Institute are already using gaming to reduce baseline symptoms of anxiety using brainwave entrainment. Similarly, we feel immersive story can be used to quiet the brain.”
But creating this type of immersive productions, comes with its own price. There are some major challenges to be faced.
“Storytelling is different than in the flat world because instead of having a fixed frame, your frame is now moving inside a sphere. The storyteller no longer has the ability to use that frame to guide the user’s attention. We’ve lost control! However, the good news is storytellers now have incredibly compelling storytelling inputs… spatial and psycho acoustic audio, touch, narration, etc. to gently guide the user where to look.”
“I’m excited by how non-fiction storytelling can be used as media therapy. There is a ‘VRceutical’ industry emerging. If we’re able to determine how immersive story affects the brain, doctors could one day prescribe VR much like they do a drug.” — Sarah Hill
However, despite all the fanfare created with the coming of every new technology, Sarah says story is still the king for journalism and VR is no exception.
“Don’t put VR stories on a shelf like fine china, only to be brought out on certain specific occasions. Challenge your storytellers to create immersive media out of topics that wouldn’t normally lend themselves to the medium. If you’re one of the ones who tells your staff ‘VR should only be used with certain stories’, I respectfully disagree. Let’s break the china, that’s the only way we’re all going to learn how each piece ….each storytelling input…plays a unique role.”
If you are interested to experience encouraging stories about empathy, mindfulness, and people triumphing over life’s challenges, you can download StoryUP’s GearVR app now. iOS, Android, Daydream and Playstation apps to come soon. You can see StoryUP’s demo of how immersive story affects anxiety in the Indie Zone at VRLA.
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