A Proposal for Stress Management Using Serious Games Associated to Virtual and Augmented Reality

Abstract

Occupational stress is a serious problem that affects a large number of workers. Regardless financial or social status, age and profession, a person exposed to stress may develop health problems that can interfere with work and his quality of life. Thus, due to absenteeism and reduced productivity, companies lose money when its employees are stressed. In this scenario, it is important that employees use strategies to deal with such drawback. Coping with occupational stress can be basically achieved, in two ways: problem-focused or emotion-focused. Literature shows that strategies which take the needs of individual workers into account have a greater chance of success. On the other hand, computer games, mainly those based upon Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR) techniques, offer players some experiences like: relaxation, sense of control, challenges, learning opportunities and immersion. These characteristics can contribute to the control process of occupational stress. The objective of this paper is to propose a new methodology for occupational stress, focused on emotion. In so doing, we use Serious Games and VR/AR techniques, considering particular needs of the employee.

Keywords

• Virtual and augmented reality
• Emotional stress
• Serious games
• Human rehabilitation