Enhancing Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy Through User-Centered Emotional Design: A Systematic Framework for Human-Computer Interaction

The integration of emotional design principles with virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) represents a significant advancement in mental health treatment modalities. Meta-analyses demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach, with considerable effect sizes for both anxiety (g = 0.79) and depression (g = 0.73) treatments. This research investigates the systematic incorporation of emotional design elements within virtual reality exposure therapy applications, examining their impact on therapeutic outcomes and user engagement. Through a comprehensive analysis of implementation strategies, technical requirements, and clinical integration factors, this study develops a structured framework for embedding emotional design in therapeutic VR environments. The findings indicate that Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy substantially improved treatment efficacy compared to traditional Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). This research contributes to the evolving virtual reality exposure therapy field by providing evidence-based guidelines for emotional design integration and identifying promising directions for future development.