Investigating Virtual Reality for the Delivery of Self-Modeling Interventions: Virtual Reality Self-Modeling as an Intervention for Stuttering

Virtual Reality Self-Modeling (VRSM) is a new self-modeling intervention. It is the coming together of two well- established interventions, video self-modeling (VSM) and virtual reality (VR) and can be described as using 360-degree VR videos, viewed through a VR system headset or smartphone, to depict individuals selfmodeling a desired behavior. By using 360-degree video, individuals who watch VRSM interventions will be able to view themselves eliciting a desired behavior while feeling as if they are immersed within the environment being watched. The distinction between traditional VR treatments and traditional VSM treatments is that VRSM delivers both self-modeling and immersive exposure in order to promote treatment gains. Three adult participants with clinically significant chronic stuttering were administered VRSM interventions depicting themselves exhibiting fluent speech in historically problematic speaking situations. The research utilized a randomized multiple baseline design to investigate whether VRSM is an effective intervention for remediating stuttering. After receiving VRSM as an intervention for stuttering, participants demonstrated clinically meaningful reductions in their stuttering severity.