The team developed an online system where a virtual coach guides users breathing through a set of established exercises completed at home.
The VR instructor was given a human experience and voice – displaying breathing movements of the chest and head.
It guided users through the breathing cycle of inhale, hold breath, exhale and hold breath.
Study Results on the Virtual Coach's Effectiveness
Twenty volunteers took part and were given a questionnaire afterwards. The results showed that around 73% found the virtual version likeable and trustworthy, 76% found it easy to use and 60% were interested in using it in the future.
Dr Ulysses Bernardet, the lead researcher in the study and lecturer in computer science said: “Although the virtual human-to-human interaction experience provided by our system is not on par with the naturalistic human-to-human interaction, the results indicate that people are willing to replace a real human coach with a virtual coach.”
Virtual Coach as a Solution for Healthcare Accessibility
“People are concerned about the accessibility to healthcare due to its high cost and unavailability of trained experts, and the worsening of their health conditions. A large number of people therefore resort to online platforms for help including self-help breathing exercises. Although they are readily available for people to use without any supervision, adhering to such self-help routines over a longer period is often challenging.”
Breathwork Trainer's Role in Mental and Physical Health
A breathwork trainer guides people through breathing techniques to improve their physical and mental health – the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the number of people relying on breathwork trainers.
The researchers admit that their desktop system has a limited level of immersion which could affect the level of influence and relaxation that can be achieved.
Future of the Virtual Coach in Breathing Techniques
The team aims to investigate the virtual coach using 3D immersive VR technology in future studies.
