Papers by Daniela Villani
Uno studio delle preferenze morali dei videogiocatori
Lo sguardo equo: pattern di esplorazione visiva nell'Ultimatum Game
Lecture Notes in Computer Science, 2007
In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in clinical and research applications of v... more In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in clinical and research applications of virtual reality (VR). However, the adoption of this approach is still limited by the high costs of software development, lack of technical expertise among end-users, and the difficulty of adapting the contents of the virtual environments (VEs). To address these needs, we have designed and developed NeuroVR, (http://www.neurovr.org), a cost-free virtual reality platform based on open-source software components. NeuroVR allows nonexpert users to easily customize a VE by using a set of pre-designed virtual scenes, and to run them in an immersive or non-immersive modality. In this paper, we provide a description of the key functional features of the platform.
Tecnologie Emotive. Nuovi Media per migliorare la qualità della vita e ridurre lo stress
in italiano: Il mondo in cui viviamo è caratterizzato dai due aspetti focali trattati in questo l... more in italiano: Il mondo in cui viviamo è caratterizzato dai due aspetti focali trattati in questo libro: lo stre e la tecnologia. Da una parte, le numerose richieste dell'ambiente esterno ci obbligano a confrontarci con le nostre risorse e competenze di gestione di situazioni critiche. Dall'altra parte, la nostra è l'era dell'evoluzione delle tecnologie informatiche, che con la loro pervasività ci obbligano ad adattare i nostri processi di comunicazione e di relazione alle opportunità e ai vincoli che le caratterizzano. Ciò ha ...
Presence and Relaxation: A Preliminary Controlled Study
Psychnology Journal, 2008
Technologies such as Virtual Reality (VR) that induce presence in a virtual, but still external, ... more Technologies such as Virtual Reality (VR) that induce presence in a virtual, but still external, perceived world, have great power to evoke emotional experiences that can lead to psychotherapeutically valuable changes in the individual. This reflects the power of presence - seen as the feeling of being located in a perceived, external world - in developing and affecting psychological wellbeing.
A new generation of virtual environments for the treatment and rehabilitation of eating disorders
PsycEXTRA Dataset, 2000
Journal of Happiness Studies, 2014
Although research has extensively examined the link between cognitive emotion regulation and psyc... more Although research has extensively examined the link between cognitive emotion regulation and psychopathological symptoms, scant attention has been given to the relationship between dispositional use of cognitive emotion regulation strategies and individuals' positive functioning. In a cross-sectional study on 470 adults, we examined whether individual differences in the use of nine cognitive strategies were associated with subjective and psychological well-being. Results show that positive reappraisal and refocus on planning are positively related to both subjective and psychological well-being. Rumination, catastrophizing and self-blame are linked to poorer well-being, while positive refocusing, putting into perspective, and acceptance show few significant associations. These results suggest that cognitive emotion regulation strategies may be differently effective in promoting individual's well-being.
European Urology Supplements, 2011
Eur Urol Suppl 2011;10(2):314 results: The PCA3 score was strongly correlated with the tumor volu... more Eur Urol Suppl 2011;10(2):314 results: The PCA3 score was strongly correlated with the tumor volume in a linear regression analysis (p<0.001, r=0.409). The risk of having a cancer ≥0.5 cm 3 and a significant PCa was increased by 3-fold in men with a PCA3 ≥25 compared with men with a PCA3 <25 with most AS biopsy criteria used. There was a trend toward higher PCA3 scores in patients with unfavourable and non organ-confined disease and Gleason>6 cancers. In a multivariate analysis taking into account each AS criterion, the PCA3 score was an important predictive factor for a tumor volume <0.5 cm 3 (OR 5.4; p=0.010) and insignificant PCa (OR 12.7; p=0.003). Biopsy criteria and MRI findings were significantly associated with OUD (OR 3.9 and 5.0; p=0.030 and 0.025, respectively). Conclusions: The PCA3 score may be a useful maker to improve the selection for AS in addition to the current AS criteria. PCA3 score is strongly indicative for tumor volume and insignificant PCa with a predictive cut-off of 25. 1009 aCtive surveillanCe: the exPerienCe of the swiss ersPC-Center introduction & objectives: As shown in the intention-to-screen analysis of the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC), PSA-Screening leads to a significant reduction in prostate cancer (PCa) mortality. On the other hand, the risk of overtreatment has to be estimated to be as high as 50% in the screening group. As a consequence, active surveillance (AS) has been introduced as a treatment option to reduce the overtreatment rate, retaining the option for treatment for those patients being reclassified over time as higher risk.
be coupled by a cognitive architecture modelling affect allowing to consistently personalize the ... more be coupled by a cognitive architecture modelling affect allowing to consistently personalize the learning path according to the user's affective profile and to provide coherent feedback to changes of motivational and affective states of the user during the training experience. Finally, the project aims at the development of 3D interactive simulations and targeted exercises to improve emotional management in interpersonal relationships, with specific focus on emotional expression, recognition and management. Emotional competence is mainly learned through experience throughout our life and plays a central role in our personal and professional lives; therefore, the use of interactive simulations can provide a controlled experiential setting to foster its training.
The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of a specific stress management protocol, based o... more The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of a specific stress management protocol, based on immersive Virtual Reality (VR), to be used as part of a multidisciplinary inpatient program for the treatment of obesity. The stress management protocol included imagery, relaxation and different cognitive behavioral approaches -emotion focused coping, self-monitoring and record keeping. Forty (40) participants, all female, were recruited for the study at the San Giuseppe Hospital, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Piancavallo (VB), Italy. Participants were chosen among the obese patients without a specific Binge Eating diagnosis but with high level of anxiety and a history of emotional eating. The sample was randomly distributed in three conditions as follows: (a) VR stress Management Protocol; (b) DVD based stress management protocol; (c) no treatment (control condition). Data show that the VR condition produced a significantly higher reduction in anxiety, as compared both to DVD and control groups. More, we found a significant correlation between changes in the emotional state and the level of presence: the more present the users felt, the higher the reduction in anxiety. This datum suggests the possible role of presence in mediating the effects of a stress management protocol.
Virtual Experiences Support Real Emotions: Three Experimenta Studies
Emotional Management and Virtual Reality: an experimental research
PERCEIVED SOCIAL SUPPORT AND ADJUSTMENT TO DISEASE IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING ACTIVE SURVEILLANCE
IMPACT OF MENTAL HEALTH ON QUALITY OF LIFE OF PROSTATE CANCER PATIENTS DURING ACTIVE SURVEILLANCE
ACTIVE SURVEILLANCE IN PATIENTS WITH LOW-RISK PROSTATE CANCER: PRIAS EXPERIENCE AT THE NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE (MILAN)
Where are You Watching? Patterns of Visual Exploration in the Ultima-tum Game
DECISION AIDS: HOW TO HELP THE PATIENTS CHOOSE THE" BEST" OPTION FOR LOCALIZED PROSTATE CANCER
Information and communication technologies are widely and rapidly spreading in people's daily liv... more Information and communication technologies are widely and rapidly spreading in people's daily lives. But what is the possible role of the mass proliferation of digital devices in supporting healthy living and active ageing? Are they useful in fostering personal growth and individual integration of the elderly, by promoting satisfaction, opportunities for action, and self-expression? Rather, do they enhance automation, impose constraints on personal initiative, and result in compulsive consumption of information? In this chapter, we suggest that possible answers to these questions will be offered by the "Positive Technology" approach, i.e., the scientific and applied approach to using technology so that it improves the quality of our personal experiences through its structuring, augmentation, and/or replacement. First, we suggest that it is possible to use technology to manipulate the quality of experience with the goal of increasing wellness and generating strengths and resilience in individuals, organizations, and society. Then, we classify positive technologies according to their effects on these three features of personal experience -Hedonic: technologies used to induce positive and pleasant experiences; Eudaimonic: technologies used to support individuals in reaching engaging and self-actualizing experiences; Social/Interpersonal: technologies used to support and improve the connectedness between individuals, groups, and organizations. Finally, we discuss the possible role of positive technologies for healthy living and active ageing by presenting different practical applications of this approach.
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Papers by Daniela Villani