The Endless Co.

The Endless Co.

HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL

Virtual Reality Stress Reduction

HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL

Virtual Reality Stress Reduction

In collaboration with Harvard psychology professor Deirdre Barrett and director David Mullett, The Endless Co. created one of the first virtual reality stress reduction tools.

SOLUTION

  • Flash of Color draws on the teachings of hypnotherapy + color therapy
  • The brightly saturated worlds and abstract virtual objects ease viewers and isolate their attention
  • Channeling the late hypnotherapist Milton Erickson, Professor Barrett voices a narration that guides viewers into a state of relaxation

RESULTS

  • The VR experience merged visual art and clinical treatment. We brought the project to the Chart Art Fair in Copenhagen and MUTEK in Montreal, as well as Bellevue Hospital in New York
  • Users reported consistently lower heart rates and reduced stress levels
  • We published our anecdotal research in a medical journal at the intersection of immersive technology and clinical mental health practice