scholarly journals Case Report: Feasibility of a Novel Virtual Reality-Based Intervention for Patients With Schizophrenia

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edit Vass ◽  
Viktória Simon ◽  
Zita Fekete ◽  
Balázs Kis ◽  
Lajos Simon
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Case Report ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Therapeutic Benefit ◽  
Modern Technology ◽  
Promising Tool ◽  
Novel Method ◽  
Interpersonal Dimension ◽  
Communicative Exchange ◽  
Potential Therapeutic Benefit

Schizophrenia is a severe and disabling mental illness, associated with persistent difficulties in social functioning. While gaining and retaining a job or staying socially integrated can be very difficult for the patients, the treatment of poor functionality remains challenging with limited options in pharmacotherapy. To address the limitations of medical treatment, several interesting and innovative approaches have been introduced in the field of psychotherapy. Recent approaches incorporate modern technology as well, such as virtual reality. A potential therapeutic benefit of virtual reality is particularly significant when an interpersonal dimension of the problem needs to be addressed. One example is a Virtual Reality based Theory of Mind Intervention (VR-ToMIS), a novel method, which enables patients to practice complex social interactions without the burden of real-life consequences. Our paper presents a case report showing promising results of VR-ToMIS. Ms. Smith is a 50- year-old patient who has been suffering from schizophrenia for 20 years. Although in her case there was no problem with compliance throughout the years, she had severe problems regarding social functionality. With VR-ToMIS, she improved in ToM and communicative-pragmatic skills. The effects of the intervention went beyond the increased scores of the tests. Before the intervention there was a risk of the patient becoming unemployed as she was unable to follow the main principles of communicative exchange. Usually, her contribution was more informative than was required. After the intervention her communication became more balanced and she could retain her job. This case suggests that VR-ToMIS may be a promising tool for treating social disfunction in schizophrenia.

scholarly journals Stereopsis deficiency treatment using virtual reality games in exotropic candidate for firefighter

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorota Maciaszek ◽  
Monika Wojtczak-Kwaśniewska
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Case Report ◽  
Effective Treatment ◽  
Binocular Vision ◽  
Police Officers ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Intermittent Exotropia ◽  
Vision Therapy

Background: Impaired stereopsis very often limits career options for patients with binocular vision disorders. Eyesight requirements for some occupations like police officers and firefighters usually include perfect visual acuity. In Poland, candidates for these professions must also demonstrate perfect stereopsis. The presented case study aims to demonstrate that vision therapy (VT1) mixed with new technologies may be an effective treatment for young adults who do not meet the chosen occupation's visual requirements. Case report: A case of a young man diagnosed with intermittent exotropia and poor stereopsis is discussed. Poor stereopsis did not allow him to pass the ophthalmological qualification tests to the fire academy. Vision therapy was implemented to improve stereopsis. The case report presents the patient’s treatment implemented within 4 years. The patient started with prismatic correction, then received the office-based VT with home reinforcement. The improvement in fusional vergence and the control of deviation was observed. Nevertheless, the patient was still stereo-deficient. 3 years later, Binocular Vision Therapy in Virtual Reality (BVTVR2) was recommended. The patient received home-based therapy for 16 weeks (60 minutes per day), which has resulted in significant improvement of stereopsis. As a result, he finally met the visual requirements to become a firefighter. Conclusion: BVTVR appears to be a promising rehabilitation method for patients with poor stereopsis. Three-dimensional anti-suppression therapy and dynamic, real-life stereopsis training seem to be a more effective treatment of poor stereopsis compared to standard VT techniques.

scholarly journals Orde ab Chao Method for Disruptive Innovations Creation (With COVID-19 Pandemic Case Application)

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Borut Likar ◽  
Denis Trcek
Keyword(s):  
Innovation Management ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Disruptive Technologies ◽  
Promising Tool ◽  
Disruptive Innovations ◽  
Innovative Thinking ◽  
Novel Method ◽  
Management Techniques ◽  
Case Application ◽  
Management Approaches

This paper introduces a novel method for the creation of ideas for disruptive innovations. It provides an application of innovation management techniques to specifics of disruptive technologies, which stand behind the Industry 4.0 (and Society 4.0) changes that are taking place at present. Centered around the Ordo ab Chao technique, the paper presents how contemporary disruptive technologies can attain reflections in the complex creative process that has to lead to disruptive ideas and innovations. Quite some innovative thinking techniques already exist. However, they fail to place emphasis on creation of ideas that are tied to emerging disruptive technologies so as to further deploy them in a focused, yet innovative manner. Hence, this paper presents an effective technique that facilitates creation of disruptive ideas with a focused potential for real-life implementations. Practical application of the method related to challenges in higher education processes amid the COVID-19 pandemic is also demonstrated. Based on the understanding of existing disruptive technologies, the technique is used for the adaptation and improvements of distance-learning processes to further add value for students and our society in general. In brief, the Ordo ab Chao technique is a promising tool for systematic development of disruptive solutions, representing a creative synergy between cutting-edge technologies and innovation management approaches.

scholarly journals A method for creating interactive, user-resembling avatars

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. e128
Author(s):  
Igor Macedo Silva ◽  
Renan C. Moioli
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Point Cloud ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Emotional Responses ◽  
Modular Architecture ◽  
Joint Approximation ◽  
Novel Method ◽  
Physical Interactions ◽  
Body Joint ◽  
Interactive User

Virtual reality (VR) applications have disseminated throughout several fields, with a special quest for immersion. The avatar is one of the key constituents of immersive applications, and avatar resemblance can provoke diverse emotional responses from the user. Yet a lot a virtual reality systems struggle to implement real life-like avatars. In this work, we propose a novel method for creating interactive, user-resembling avatars using available commercial hardware and software. Avatar visualization is possible with a point-cloud or a contiguous polygon surface, and avatar interactions with the virtual scenario happens through a body joint-approximation for contact. In addition, the implementation could be easily extended to other systems and its modular architecture admits improvement both on visualization and physical interactions. The code is under Apache License 2.0 and is freely available as Supplemental Information 1 in this article.

scholarly journals A novel method to treat recurrent facial pain: a case report

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jintakorn Kuvatanasuchati ◽  
Karoon Leowsrisook
Keyword(s):  
Case Report ◽  
Trigeminal Neuralgia ◽  
Facial Pain ◽  
Case Presentation ◽  
Facial Movements ◽  
Novel Treatment ◽  
Effective Cost ◽  
Novel Method

Abstract Background Chronic facial pain is a serious condition affecting millions of people worldwide. The reasons for chronic facial pain vary, and currently, the methods of treating chronic facial pain are expensive, invasive, and, based on current findings, ineffective. The purpose of this study is to develop and test an effective, cost-friendly method to treat patients with chronic facial pain. This study will examine the effectiveness of a novel treatment of a patient suffering from trigeminal neuralgia. Case presentation A 70-year-old Thai female visited the advanced general dentistry clinic at the Faculty of Dentistry, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. She was suffering from facial pain on her left side and was diagnosed by a physician as having trigeminal neuralgia. She experienced a sharp shooting pain that was triggered by facial movements such as chewing, speaking, or brushing teeth, and touching certain areas of her face. Bouts of pain lasted from a few seconds to several minutes, and episodes of several attacks lasted days, weeks, months, or longer prior to her visit to the advanced general dentistry clinic at Mahidol University. Physician designed an occlusal equilibration appliance for treating the patient by inserting the appliance in the mouth for dental occlusal equilibration (deprogram). The patient used this appliance by placing it in the mouth continuously (day and night) and removed it only when eating. After using the appliance for 2 weeks, the patient appeared to feel and look better prior to taking medication and was able to eat normally. The patient was pain free after treatment for a duration of 9 months. However, after 9 months, the pain reoccurred and manifested itself. Conclusion This novel treatment of recurrent facial pain showed an improvement of the patient’s chronic facial pain and serves as evidence to being a novel method for treating those suffering from trigeminal neuralgia.

scholarly journals Assessment of Wheelchair Propulsion Performance in an Immersive Virtual Reality Simulator

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (15) ◽  
pp. 8016
Author(s):  
Yu-Sheng Yang ◽  
Alicia M. Koontz ◽  
Yu-Hsuan Hsiao ◽  
Cheng-Tang Pan ◽  
Jyh-Jong Chang
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Spinal Cord Injuries ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Wheelchair Propulsion ◽  
Subjective Data ◽  
Wheelchair Users ◽  
Head Mounted Display ◽  
Propulsion Performance

Maneuvering a wheelchair is an important necessity for the everyday life and social activities of people with a range of physical disabilities. However, in real life, wheelchair users face several common challenges: articulate steering, spatial relationships, and negotiating obstacles. Therefore, our research group has developed a head-mounted display (HMD)-based intuitive virtual reality (VR) stimulator for wheelchair propulsion. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility and efficacy of this VR stimulator for wheelchair propulsion performance. Twenty manual wheelchair users (16 men and 4 women) with spinal cord injuries ranging from T8 to L2 participated in this study. The differences in wheelchair propulsion kinematics between immersive and non-immersive VR environments were assessed using a 3D motion analysis system. Subjective data of the HMD-based intuitive VR stimulator were collected with a Presence Questionnaire and individual semi-structured interview at the end of the trial. Results indicated that propulsion performance was very similar in terms of start angle (p = 0.34), end angle (p = 0.46), stroke angle (p = 0.76), and shoulder movement (p = 0.66) between immersive and non-immersive VR environments. In the VR episode featuring an uphill journey, an increase in propulsion speed (p < 0.01) and cadence (p < 0.01) were found, as well as a greater trunk forward inclination (p = 0.01). Qualitative interviews showed that this VR simulator made an attractive, novel impression and therefore demonstrated the potential as a tool for stimulating training motivation. This HMD-based intuitive VR stimulator can be an effective resource to enhance wheelchair maneuverability experiences.

Clinical Conundrums When Integrating the QbTest into a Standard ADHD Assessment of Children and Young People

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carsten Vogt
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Ecological Validity ◽  
Neuropsychological Test ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Standard Clinical Practice ◽  
Novel Method ◽  
The Impact

AbstractThe uptake of the QbTest in clinical practice is increasing and has recently been supported by research evidence proposing its effectiveness in relation to clinical decision-making. However, the exact underlying process leading to this clinical benefit is currently not well established and requires further clarification. For the clinician, certain challenges arise when adding the QbTest as a novel method to standard clinical practice, such as having the skills required to interpret neuropsychological test information and assess for diagnostically relevant neurocognitive domains that are related to attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or how neurocognitive domains express themselves within the behavioral classifications of ADHD and how the quantitative measurement of activity in a laboratory setting compares with real-life (ecological validity) situations as well as the impact of comorbidity on test results. This article aims to address these clinical conundrums in aid of developing a consistent approach and future guidelines in clinical practice.

Virtual reality and tactile augmentation in the treatment of spider phobia: a case report

1997 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 153-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Albert S. Carlin ◽  
Hunter G. Hoffman ◽  
Suzanne Weghorst
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Case Report ◽  
Spider Phobia ◽  
Tactile Augmentation
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