scholarly journals Effectiveness of a holistic neuropsychological rehabilitation program using virtual reality

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-41
Author(s):  
Liliana Mendes ◽  
Luís Paulo Reis ◽  
Fernando Barbosa
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Rehabilitation Program ◽  
Road Accident ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Neuropsychological Rehabilitation ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Cognitive Improvement ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Experimental Group

Acquired brain injury (ABI) is associated with severe functional consequences at several levels: personal, psychological, social, physical, economic, and systemic. The main objective of the present study is to show the potential of applying virtual reality (VR) in neuropsychological rehabilitation and the consequent psychological and cognitive improvement of the person with ABI. A total of 27 participants of both sexes with moderate or severe ABI participated in an investigation in a clinical trial-type design with pre-test and post-test. Participants in the experimental group (n = 8) underwent a remote holistic neuropsychological intervention program supported by a VR platform: the Virtual Centre for the Rehabilitation of Road Accident Victims (VICERAVI). The experimental group results were compared with a first control group (n = 10) that underwent a conventional holistic neuropsychological intervention face-to-face program; and with a second control group that did not have any neuropsychological intervention (n = 9). We conclude that the VR-based neuropsychological rehabilitation program (NRP) at a distance produces better cognitive results in general cognitive functioning, learning, memory, and executive functioning than the conventional face-to-face NRP. Still, at the psychosocial level, the conventional NRP obtained results similar to those of the VR-based NRP, which did not produce significant improvements. Thus, the study results suggest that the development of VR-based holistic NRPs may benefit the autonomy of people with ABI.

scholarly journals The Impact of Using Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)intervention for Reducing Teacher Burnout and Enhancing Self-efficacy of teachers of Autism Syndrome Disorder (ASD)

2021 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 3848-3859
Author(s):  
Dr. Moudi Abdullah Amer Alajmi
Keyword(s):  
Stress Reduction ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Teacher Burnout ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction ◽  
The State Of Kuwait ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Experimental Group

The current study aimed to explore the effectiveness of using Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) intervention on reducing teacher burnout of teachers of Autism Syndrome Disorder (ASD).It is also aimed to investigate the impact of decreased teachers' burnout on enhancing the self-efficacy of those teachers. To achieve such goal, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) intervention and Oldenburg teacher burnout inventory, and Self-efficacy Scale. The sample of the study consists of 32 teachers who teach autistic children in the Autistic Behavior School (ABS) in Jahraa district, in the State of Kuwait. They were divided into two groups; the experimental group including 15 ASD teachers and the control group that includes 17 teachers. Both quantitative and qualitative designs were used; the quasi-experimental research design has been adopted in this study to assess the improvement achieved by the experimental group compared with the control group as a result of using the MBSR intervention program. Also, semi-structured interviews have been held with certain teachers with a high level of burnout. Results of the study revealed statistically significant differences in the mean scores of experimental and control groups in favor of the experimental group. MBSR intervention was effective in alleviating teachers' burnout and enhancing their self-efficacy. Based on the study results, it is recommended that mindfulness strategies should be used to alleviate anxiety, depression, stress, and even burnout teachers experience due to their job especially those teaching children with disabilities and autism.

Solving Conceptual and Perceptual Analogies with Virtual Reality among Kindergarten Children of Immigrant Families

2014 ◽  
Vol 116 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-36
Author(s):  
David Passig ◽  
Timor Schwartz
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Significant Degree ◽  
Early Years ◽  
Kindergarten Children ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Solution Strategy ◽  
Analogical Thinking ◽  
Experimental Group

Background The ability to think analogically is central to the process of learning and understanding reality and there is a broad consensus among researchers that we can improve this ability. Immigrants who have emigrated from developing to developed countries tend to experience tremendous challenges in their early years as immigrants. Their children often find themselves in a situation where it is clear that their low achievements are the result of cultural mediation, which expresses itself not only in a language gap, but also in cultural and basic technological disorientation. Purpose The goal of this study is to help find efficient ways of nurturing analogical thinking in children who have emigrated from developing to developed countries and express difficulties in analogical thinking, and to point out the advantages inherent in the use of immersive 3D Virtual Reality technology for this goal. Population The participants in this study included 56 children, aged 4 to 7 years, whose parents immigrated to Israel from Ethiopia during the last ten years. The experimental group (n=28) practiced solving analogies that were presented in 3D VR, while the control group (n=28) practiced solving the same analogies with a pictorial version of the items that was presented with cards. Research Design The research instrument employed for evaluating Analogical thinking was the CCPAM measure, which includes 10 questions on Conceptual Analogies and 10 questions on Perceptual analogies. We designed the intervention program according to the CCPAM test. The CCPAM test was administered in three intervals: a. Prior to the beginning of the intervention. b. Immediately after the intervention, which included two meetings of 15 minutes each, during which the children were given exercises in solving analogies. c. Three weeks after the end of the intervention, in order to test the ability to preserve the solution strategy (the follow-up test). Conclusions The results indicate that both programs of intervention—VR and picture cards— significantly improved the ability to solve both kinds of analogies—perceptual and conceptual. However, the children in the experimental group, who practiced analogies within an immersive VR environment, improved their ability to a statistically significant degree more than did the children who practiced solutions with picture cards. The children in the experimental group preserved the solution strategy three weeks after the intervention significantly better than the control group, and the improvement in solving conceptual analogies was greater than the improvement in solving perceptual analogies.

scholarly journals A Virtual Reality-Based Cognitive Telerehabilitation System for Use in the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 2183
Author(s):  
José Varela-Aldás ◽  
Jorge Buele ◽  
Pedro Ramos Lorente ◽  
Iván García-Magariño ◽  
Guillermo Palacios-Navarro
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Cognitive Rehabilitation ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Limited Mobility ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Spaced Retrieval ◽  
The Cost ◽  
New Situation ◽  
Experimental Group

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed people’s lives and the way in which certain services are provided. Such changes are not uncommon in healthcare services and they will have to adapt to the new situation by increasing the number of services remotely offered. Limited mobility has resulted in interruption of treatments that traditionally have been administered through face-to-face modalities, especially those related to cognitive impairments. In this telerehabilitation approach, both the patient and the specialist physician enter a virtual reality (VR) environment where they can interact in real time through avatars. A spaced retrieval (SR) task is implemented in the system to analyze cognitive performance. An experimental group (n = 20) performed the SR task in telerehabilitation mode, whereas a control group (n = 20) performed the SR task through a traditional face-to-face mode. The obtained results showed that it is possible to carry out cognitive rehabilitation processes through a telerehabilitation modality in conjunction with VR. The cost-effectiveness of the system will also contribute to making healthcare systems more efficient, overcoming both geographical and temporal limitations.

Brief psycho-education for caregivers of persons with first episode psychosis

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (01) ◽  
Author(s):  
Praful Prabhuappa Kapse ◽  
Manisha Kiran
Keyword(s):  
First Episode Psychosis ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Episode Psychosis ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Expressed Emotions ◽  
Experimental Group ◽  
Group Family

Caring for the persons with first episode psychosis is challenging and demanding. It may lead to the increased burden, expressed emotions among the caregivers. The numerous studies have shown that high burden and negative expressed emotions among caregivers can lead to early relapse in the patients with first episode psychosis. To evaluate the effects of the brief psychoeducation on the caregivers burden and expressed emotions. A quasi experimental - before and after with control group research design was adopted for the study. A total of 60 caregivers have participated in the study, of which 30 caregivers in experimental group and 30 caregivers in the control group. Family Burden Interview Schedule (Pai and Kapoor, 1981) and Attitude Questionnaire (Sethi et al., 1981) was used to assess caregiver's burden and expressed emotions. At end of the psychoeducation intervention, burden among caregivers and negative expressed emotions of the caregivers have significantly reduced. The positive expressed emotions have been increased. Study results demonstrates the importance of psychoeducation intervention in reducing the burden and negative expressed emotions.

scholarly journals Lower Extremity Rehabilitation in Patients with Post-Stroke Sequelae through Virtual Reality Associated with Mirror Therapy

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 2654
Author(s):  
Roxana Steliana Miclaus ◽  
Nadinne Roman ◽  
Ramona Henter ◽  
Silviu Caloian
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Muscle Strength ◽  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Range Of Motion ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Mirror Therapy ◽  
Cohen’S D ◽  
Cohen's D ◽  
Experimental Group ◽  
Post Therapy

More innovative technologies are used worldwide in patient’s rehabilitation after stroke, as it represents a significant cause of disability. The majority of the studies use a single type of therapy in therapeutic protocols. We aimed to identify if the association of virtual reality (VR) therapy and mirror therapy (MT) exercises have better outcomes in lower extremity rehabilitation in post-stroke patients compared to standard physiotherapy. Fifty-nine inpatients from 76 initially identified were included in the research. One experimental group (n = 31) received VR therapy and MT, while the control group (n = 28) received standard physiotherapy. Each group performed seventy minutes of therapy per day for ten days. Statistical analysis was performed with nonparametric tests. Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test showed that both groups registered significant differences between pre-and post-therapy clinical status for the range of motion and muscle strength (p < 0.001 and Cohen’s d between 0.324 and 0.645). Motor Fugl Meyer Lower Extremity Assessment also suggested significant differences pre-and post-therapy for both groups (p < 0.05 and Cohen’s d 0.254 for the control group and 0.685 for the experimental group). Mann-Whitney results suggested that VR and MT as a therapeutic intervention have better outcomes than standard physiotherapy in range of motion (p < 0.05, Cohen’s d 0.693), muscle strength (p < 0.05, Cohen’s d 0.924), lower extremity functionality (p < 0.05, Cohen’s d 0.984) and postural balance (p < 0.05, Cohen’s d 0.936). Our research suggests that VR therapy associated with MT may successfully substitute classic physiotherapy in lower extremity rehabilitation after stroke.

scholarly journals One-Year Follow-Up of Healthy Older Adults with Electroencephalographic Risk for Neurocognitive Disorder After Neurofeedback Training

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Graciela C. Alatorre-Cruz ◽  
Thalía Fernández ◽  
Susana A. Castro-Chavira ◽  
Mauricio González-López ◽  
Sergio M. Sánchez-Moguel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Theta Activity ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Global Changes ◽  
Healthy Population ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Improvement ◽  
One Year ◽  
Experimental Group

Background: In healthy older adults, excess theta activity is an electroencephalographic (EEG) predictor of cognitive impairment. In a previous study, neurofeedback (NFB) treatment reinforcing reductions theta activity resulted in EEG reorganization and cognitive improvement. Objective: To explore the clinical applicability of this NFB treatment, the present study performed a 1-year follow-up to determine its lasting effects. Methods: Twenty seniors with excessive theta activity in their EEG were randomly assigned to the experimental or control group. The experimental group received an auditory reward when the theta absolute power (AP) was reduced. The control group received the reward randomly. Results: Both groups showed a significant decrease in theta activity at the training electrode. However, the EEG results showed that only the experimental group underwent global changes after treatment. These changes consisted of delta and theta decreases and beta increases. Although no changes were found in any group during the period between the posttreatment evaluation and follow-up, more pronounced theta decreases and beta increases were observed in the experimental group when the follow-up and pretreatment measures were compared. Executive functions showed a tendency to improve two months after treatment which became significant one year later. Conclusion: These results suggest that the EEG and behavioral benefits of this NFB treatment persist for at least one year, which adds up to the available evidence contributing to identifying factors that increase its efficacy level. The relevance of this study lies in its prophylactic features of addressing a clinically healthy population with EEG risk of cognitive decline.

scholarly journals Effect of the Leisure Activities on the Level of Psychological stress among the elderly during the Coronavirus Outbreak

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-78
Author(s):  
Ayed Zureigat ◽  
Osama Abdel Fattah
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Stress ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Leisure Activities ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Physical Abilities ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Experimental Group

Background: It is well known that advancing age is accompanied by many negative feelings due to the feeling of loneliness and psychological emptiness, which leads to the individual feeling that society does not need him due to his weak physical abilities and thus this, will negatively affect healthy aging. Objective: The study aimed to investigate the effect of the leisure activities on the psychological stress among the elderly during Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak. Design: To achieve this, we used the quasi-experimental approach on a sample consisting of 54, with the average age of (65.4±2.3) years. Divided into two groups 27 as a control group and 27 as the experimental group and this sample was purposively selected. Because of the home quarantine and to reduce face-to-face interaction, we used a questionnaire to measure the psychological stress level by using the Google form. The study tool consisted of 7 paragraphs associated with depression and 6 paragraphs associated with anxiety, finally 6 paragraphs associated with aggression. Before applying the experiment, the psychological stress was measured among the study sample, and then the leisure activities program was sent to the experimental group by the WhatsApp application. The researchers used means, standard deviations, paired and independent sample t-test by using SPSS version 24 with a confidence level of 95% (p<0.05). Results: The results of the study have shown that the level of the psychological stress among both groups came with a high average in the pre-measurement, as well as the anxiety domain that were the most affected in a positive way through leisure activities practicing. Additionally, there were statistically significant differences between the pre and post measurement among experiment group and favor of the post measurement. Conclusion: the leisure activities practicing among the elderly have contributed positively to reducing the level of psychological stress represented by depression, anxiety.

scholarly journals A Non-Randomized Controlled Trial for the Effectiveness of the ‘Aibo’ Intervention Program for Distraction in Childhood Vaccination

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyoko Tanaka ◽  
Maoko Hayakawa ◽  
Chihiro Noda ◽  
Moemi Nakamura ◽  
Akio Nakamura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Behavioral Observation ◽  
Childhood Vaccination ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Face Scale

Abstract Procedures and actions such as injections and immobilization cause pain and distress to children. In the pediatric field, there is a need for interventions and support to alleviate the pain and distress caused by such medical procedures. In recent years, the introduction of robots as a means of distraction has begun to be attempted. In this study, we conducted a non-randomized controlled trial to examine the effect of intervention using ‘aibo’, a dog-like robot which has artificial intelligence (AI), to promote distraction in children after vaccination. As a result, 57 children (32 in the intervention group) participated in the study. Results of a t-test with the control group showed that the intervention group using aibo had significantly less pain following the post-vaccination intervention than the control group using stuffed dog (Face Scale, t(55) = 2.582, p = .0125; Behavioral Observation Scale, t(55) = 2.772, p = .00759). The results support the hypothesis that the aibo intervention group will be less distressed and able to calm down more quickly after vaccination than the control group. Conclusion : AI-powered aibo interventions that allow for interactive interaction can be an effective distraction method during painful procedures such as vaccinations.

scholarly journals Development and Effects of a Nursing Education Program Using Virtual Reality for Enhancing Clinical Decision-Making Ability in Respiratory Disease Nursing Care

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 458-469
Author(s):  
Eun Ju Lee ◽  
Min Jung Ryu
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Nursing Education ◽  
Respiratory Disease ◽  
Nursing Care ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Simulation Education ◽  
Experimental Group

Purpose: This study was conducted to develop and examine the effects of a nursing education program using virtual reality to enhance clinical decision-making ability in respiratory disease nursing care by assessing students’ confidence in performance, clinical decision-making ability, practice flow, class evaluations, and simulation design evaluations.Methods: This study was developed based on the Jeffries simulation model and 5E learning cycle model, blending a virtual reality simulation and high-fidelity simulation. The participants were 41 third-year nursing students with no virtual reality and simulation education experience. The experimental group (n=21) received the virtual reality program, while the control group (n=20) received traditional simulation education. Data were collected from March 8 to May 28, 2021 and analyzed using SPSS version 27 for Windows.Results: Statistically significant differences were found between the experimental group and the control group post-intervention in confidence in performance (F=4.88, p=.33) and clinical decision-making ability (F=18.68, p＜.001). The experimental group showed significant increases in practice flow (t=2.34, p=.024) and class evaluations (t=2.99, p=.005) compared to the control group.Conclusion: Nursing education programs using virtual reality to enhance clinical decision-making ability in respiratory disease nursing care can be an effective educational strategy in the clinical context.

scholarly journals Motivation of senior school persons for participation in professionally oriented competitions

2020 ◽  
pp. 15-21
Author(s):  
P.V. Tkachenko ◽  
◽  
D.A. Severinov ◽  
K.V. Luganskaya
Keyword(s):  
General Education ◽  
Vocational Guidance ◽  
Educational Process ◽  
Practical Significance ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Intellectual Activity ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Tv Shows ◽  
Experimental Group

Analyzed is the problem of motivation of senior school persons for participation in professionally oriented competitions. Relevance: modern seniors easily learn technical subjects, cope with management of most of latest gadgets, and require new (not standard, interesting for teenager) format in conduct of vocational guidance events, such as quests, intelligent games in the style of TV shows, et all. Such a format allows participant to “go beyond”, look at the future profession and educational process slightly from a different angle. Methodology and research methods: a non-standard competition acts as example of intellectual natural-scientific tournament Credo Medicus, and that is a system of face-to-face intellectual competitions for two months with a break of 7 days between its stages. Participants are seniors of general education institutions. At the end of tournament field study of motivation of 30 seniors-participants (16–17 years old) participate in competitions of professional orientation (experimental group), that was carried out by means of following tests: determination of professional tendencies; motive for choosing a profession. Results of the survey were compared to the responses of 30 seniors, who did not participate in the tournament. Results: the experimental group is dominated by internal socially significant motifs (4.4), which is 0.8 more than in the control group (p = 0.0008). And in the control group, there is prevalence of internal (3.68 and 3.64) motifs over external (2.56 and 2.76) motifs. Scientific novelty of the research: it was found, that participants of intellectual tournament are more prone to knowledge and intellectual activity. When choosing a profession, they are dominated by socially significant motives, the role of external positive motives is small, and the desire to be useful for society is significantly expressed, that is most typical for medical activities. Practical significance of the research: materials of the study can serve as demonstration of experience of introducing into vocational guidance work of university a new format of events, such as the open intellectual natural-scientific tournament Credo Medicus, that allows to assess motivational aspects of choice of the profession of doctor of future applicants, and already at the stage of school education to engage in targeted training of interested and gifted teenagers.

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