Promoting relaxation using virtual reality, olfactory interfaces and wearable EEG

• Published in: Proceedings (International Conference on Wearable and Implantable Body Sensor Networks : Print) pp. 98 - 101
• Main Authors: Amores, Judith, Richer, Robert, Zhao, Nan, Maes, Pattie, Eskofier, Bjoern M.
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: IEEE 01.03.2018
• Subjects: Electrodes; Electroencephalography; Headphones; Medical treatment; Olfactory; Stress; Virtual reality
• ISSN: 2376-8894
• DOI: 10.1109/BSN.2018.8329668

The ability to relax is sometimes challenging to achieve, nevertheless it is extremely important for mental and physical health, particularly to effectively manage stress and anxiety. We propose a virtual reality experience that integrates a wearable, low-cost EEG headband and an olfactory necklace that passively promotes relaxation. The physiological response was measured from the EEG signal. Relaxation scores were computed from EEG frequency bands associated with a relaxed mental state using an entropy-based signal processing approach. The subjective perception of relaxation was determined using a questionnaire. A user study involving 12 subjects showed that the subjective perception of relaxation increased by 26.1 % when using a VR headset with the olfactory necklace, compared to not being exposed to any stimulus. Similarly, the physiological response also increased by 25.0 %. The presented work is the first Virtual Reality Therapy system that uses scent in a wearable manner and proves its effectiveness to increase relaxation in everyday life situations.