Leveraging Psychology of Virtual Body for Health and Wellness

In this chapter, the author demonstrates that virtual reality (VR), for its ability of addressing simultaneously all these three levels (by structuring the personal experience, by augmenting the personal experience and by replacing the personal experience), is the key to open new opportunities for health and wellness. In particular, VR is able to influence the personal experience through its effects on the bodily experience. How are these experiences possible? What do they teach us about the potential of technology for health and wellness? This chapter tries to answer these two questions by identifying a clear link between spatial perception and action (Riva, 2008). It introduces the concept of “presence” as the main outcome of these processes. Finally, the chapter suggests that it is possible to use technology to manipulate the features of the personal experience, with the goal of increasing well-being both in individuals and groups.