I really had to include this link because it helps us think about how we can use technology to treat trauma to our psyche...
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=YXnfsCjthuI&feature=related
Imagine what could do by combining these glasses ...
This glove...
http://www.cwonline.com
Or this complete authoring and emmersive solution..
http://www.eonreality.com
Here's a complete list of some of the devices out there...
http://www.inition.com/
Thanks.
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21 comments:
I would have never imagined that using a product like this could help veterans with PTS. After watching the video, it does make sense how using this product in a controlled and safe environment could help veterans deal with this horrible disability. I wonder what other application this type of technology could be used? Pilots use the technology for flight simulators and training, but in education, what about driving class or math and spatial equations? What about history, walking through the front lines of the civil war?
I have not had the chance to try virtual reality, but it seems intriguing. The simulations seem pretty real to those participating. It makes their heart race, pulse increase, etc. Interesting ideas to overcome fears.
My only concern with treating post war veterans with VR is the fact that once you decrease or even inscreasing VR session--how does that effect their psyche? What about the economic cost? There are numerous treatments, by far less, expensive outthere to treat PTSD: Cognitive Therapy; Behavioral Therapy; Medication. Having suffered PTSD myself, I am a promoter of the latter treatment. I would really have to see me research done on VR and PTSD in order to be fully convinced.
VR and our brain. It is amazing to see techology so real that one sweats or the heart races. This subject area also makes me think about assistive technology. The show "60 minutes" had shown how an individual who was able to use his mind to control a computer to select letters in order to communicate. It is not a quick process, but makes a person who is paralyzed feel alive. I was totally amazaed. Even the reporter tried it and it worked. Who know what products will be available 10 years from now.
ah behold the wonders of news media and PTS remedies. Coming from the psychology background I won't go into all the details the media coverage left out, but with time, patience, and understanding of and for the PTS victim vr could prove incredibly beneficial. In fact, it would lead as a great segway into dealing with ones traumatic issues.
Ryan (aka RBR) has made some really very interesting and valid points about the limitless possibilities that vr could lead us to as a society especially in the world of education. How many of us learn best by experiencing, participating, and doing as opposed to sitting, listening and watching. This could lead to a whole new method of course instruction!
Chanda
So, I just responded to your Seinfeld Class posting under the Educational Video's for Teachers section and was rethinking my response. What a huge resource VR would be in classroom settings. Not only could it be educational, but engaging, and challenging for the student. It would certainly help keeps kids on task and give them a first hand idea of the concepts at hand....
ohhh....I like it. Fascinating!
I just went to visit the website that showcases the glove. My first response was oh my....Freddy Kruger lives again. I sure would like to see and experience how the glove works in the VR world of technology. Maybe it will take me to a peaceful place and not a Nightmare on Elm Street.
Here is another concept on VR:
VR & the Treadmill – The following is from the article:
Scientists have developed what they claim is a ‘virtual reality’ treadmill which can trick people into believing that they are moving more slowly than they actually are. According to them, the technology could be of great help to stroke sufferers across the world by encouraging them to move faster on the treadmill, which in turn will speed up their recovery. "The virtual system encourages patients to walk more quickly and for longer, almost without them realizing it. It is not just that they are distracted from the pain; by moving faster than they realize, their body actually feels it less. We're effectively fooling the brain and cheating the body.” "It's a lot more fun than traditional rehab and it can actually facilitate a much faster recovery. Our test subjects are usually surprised when I tell them they've improved by up to 20 per cent," lead scientist Wendy Powell was quoted by The Independent as saying. In fact, moving images on a giant screen respond to patients' efforts on an adapted treadmill. And using a variety of different settings, including urban and rural landscapes, the device creates a virtual world for the patient to ‘walk’ through on the treadmill. This immersion also acts as a distraction, and early research has already shown patients using it have a decreased perception of pain, according to the researchers at Portsmouth University.
Short article – straight and to the point. Interesting how virtual reality is being used in a lot of different arenas. Below is the website address.
http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Now-trick-your-brain-with-a-virtual-reality-treadmill/353089/
Annette
Well,
my blogging doesn't really go with the vr aspects but it does make use of the glove so to speak.
visit: http://oblong.com/
The technology is amazing and it has so much potential for the world of education. It's visual, hands on, highly technical, and well just fascinating. Imagine the ability to have a podium for each student to work off of....
The possibilities.
I can't wait!
Thanks again Annette on your article. Yes, it is simply amazing how VR does actually re-direct/trick our minds into believing something else. This limitless power and technology is on the threshold of the future. Could you imagine learning, experiencing, evening smelling through VR?!
I agree with Ryan. VR does make you believe or trick the mind into believe things that may or may not be there. If any of you have seen the movie "LawnMower Man". You will know what I mean.
Hey, Sean...Im finding it extremely difficult to comment on VR and the brain. I am not an expert on the brain. I have exhausted all comments on this one.....
Is our worl ready for vitural reality? I am afraid not. Most people have trouble dealing with the physical reality that letting go enough to expand their minds in a virual reality is a far fetched notion. The human brain is not easily tricked, but as the brain is more understood, the integration of virual reality can be a possible future, not not a present reality.
Now I'm curious at how virtual reality could be integrated into health care education. Surgons train with sumulated technology, but I haven't heard of MDs, nurses and respiratory therapist training yet with virtual reality for medical codes - which are extremely stressful due to the unpredictability of each patient.
It seems that this type of technological intervention to treat mental health issues would be quite expensive and therefore very limited in scope. I would opt for more mental health professionals over technology to meet the needs of armed forces personnel returning with PTSD if budget were the limiting factor at this point in time.
As I watched the use of this simulation to help soldiers with PTS. I wondered if one of the reasons why this method is working, might it be because this generation of soldiers grew playing video games similar to the simulation, thus taking them to a comfort zone, where they may able to express their fears to a doctor. Where the opposite may occur if this simulation therapy was used on Vietnam or WWII Veterans, who do not grew up with video games, thus might they freak out and a break down in the session. Just something to consider when using technology, "one shoe does not fit all"
Lu, I can say that having been a participant of that lovely Vietnam War, PST was not recognized as real until well after the war. Generally, you were expected to "suck it up", so to say. While in the Navy, my ship caught on fire one night and we thought we were going to have to abandon ship in the middle of the ocean. Still bugs me. However, I avoid cruses :)
It is fascinating how virtual reality is used to help veterans confront their fears. However, does it work for everyone? And How often does one attend such session? I agree with Lu "one size does not fit all."
Although we are doing much better as a nation, we have a long way to go in treating returning military personnel. There still is an attitude within the military, if it didn't come in your sea bag, you obviously don't need it. And that would include any type of therapy.
It will be interesting to see what else VR will be used for in the future. I wonder if it has been used for other serious issues.
I think it's incredible how technology is being used to treat trauma especially using virtual reality as a choice. Alma, I agree with you when you asked if it works for everyone? Who knows? It would be interesting to know if it does.
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