635 research outputs found

    Contrasting the effectiveness and efficiency of virtual reality and real environments in the treatment of acrophobia

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    Previous studies reported good results in using virtual reality for the treatment of acrophobia. Similarly this paper reports the use of a virtual environment for the treatment of acrophobia. In the study, 10 subjects were exposed to three sessions of simulated heights in a virtual reality (VR) system, and 5 others were exposed to a real environment. Both groups revealed significant progress in a range of anxiety, avoidance and behaviour measurements when confronted with virtual as well as real height circumstances. Despite VR participants experiencing considerably shorter treatment times than the real-world subjects, significant improvements were recorded on the Behavioural Avoidance Test, the Attitudes Toward Heights Questionnaire and the Acrophobia Questionnaire. These results are suggestive of a possible higher effectiveness and efficiency of VR in treating acrophobia

    System For Treating Patients With Anxiety Disorders

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    A virtual reality system provides effective exposure treatment for psychiatric patients suffering from a particular anxiety disorder. The system is characterized by a video screen disposed in front of the patient to display an image of a specific graphical environment that is intended to trigger anxiety within the patient as a result of the particular patient phobia. A headset is worn by the patient, and has sensors disposed to detect movement and positioning of the patient's head. A computer program controls the operation of the system, and is designed to control the display of the graphical environment on the video screen, monitor the headset sensors and determine the position of the patient's head, and controllably manipulate the graphical environment displayed on the video screen to reflect the movement and position of the patient's head. In a preferred embodiment, a sensor is provided to automatically detect a level of patient anxiety, and the computer program is designed to monitor this sensor and controllably manipulate the graphical environment displayed on the video screen in response thereto. In other embodiments, sound and tactile feedback are provided to further enhance the graphic emulation.Emory University And Georgia Tech Research Corporatio

    From presence to consciousness through virtual reality

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    Immersive virtual environments can break the deep, everyday connection between where our senses tell us we are and where we are actually located and whom we are with. The concept of 'presence' refers to the phenomenon of behaving and feeling as if we are in the virtual world created by computer displays. In this article, we argue that presence is worthy of study by neuroscientists, and that it might aid the study of perception and consciousness

    Virtual and Augmented Reality Therapy Framework for Phobia Treatment

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    Phobias are a common type of anxiety disorder that affects a great number of people. Treating phobias is not always straightforward and require a significant effort from both the patient and the therapist. In recent years, Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy and Augmented Reality Exposure Therapy have emerged to help in phobia treatments by using virtual content. However, most available systems are not free and require expensive hardware. In this paper, we present a free and open-source framework for phobia treatment, designed for both the therapist and the patient. A Virtual Reality scenario for acrophobia (fear of heights) and an Augmented Reality scenario for arachnophobia were developed for validation.XVI Workshop Computación Gráfica, Imágenes y Visualización (WCGIV)Red de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI

    The Effects of Virtual Reality Therapy on Acrophobia: A Literature Review

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    This paper examines the effects of virtual reality therapy on acrophobia. Virtual reality therapy is a valuable tool that can be utilized to expose individuals to their phobias in a controlled, virtual setting with the use of technology. Acrophobia is described as an extreme fear of heights and can interfere with the daily lives of individuals. In this review, four studies were examined that focused on the use of virtual reality therapy in individuals with acrophobia. The overall findings indicated that virtual reality therapy was effective in reducing symptoms of acrophobia. Furthermore, this literature review examines the benefits and successful methods of virtual reality therapy and highlights the versatility and importance of the utilization of virtual reality therapy

    Virtual and Augmented Reality Therapy Framework for Phobia Treatment

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    Phobias are a common type of anxiety disorder that affects a great number of people. Treating phobias is not always straightforward and require a significant effort from both the patient and the therapist. In recent years, Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy and Augmented Reality Exposure Therapy have emerged to help in phobia treatments by using virtual content. However, most available systems are not free and require expensive hardware. In this paper, we present a free and open-source framework for phobia treatment, designed for both the therapist and the patient. A Virtual Reality scenario for acrophobia (fear of heights) and an Augmented Reality scenario for arachnophobia were developed for validation.XVI Workshop Computación Gráfica, Imágenes y Visualización (WCGIV)Red de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI

    Using Machine Learning to Regulate Intensity of Immersion Therapy Treatment of Phobias Through Vital Feedback

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    The treatment of acrophobia has been trying to keep up with newer technology with the incorporation of virtual reality for exposure therapy, but that approach still lacks automation and still leaves a good portion for human error. The proposed method introduced in this paper is that a machine learning model could replace the need for continuous human intervention. With a few different models of bridges and buildings and the ability for a machine learning model to dynamically alter the height of these building we could theoretically put the patient in the exact situation that will maximize the efficiency of their treatment. The proposed solution will utilize a random forest classifier and with continuous access to the patient’s heart rate, blood pressure and galvanic skin response it can translate that information to fear levels. Using a second deep neural network it can determine what kind of environment will be most effective in treating the patient

    Afrontamiento de Acrofobia en adultos. Intervención de Enfermería mediante realidad virtual

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    En este estudio se plantea el uso de tratamientos hidrotérmicos (HMT) asistidos con microondas para la modificación física de granos de trigo sarraceno, un pseudocereal sin gluten y de elevado valor nutricional. Se elige el tratamiento microondas como una tecnología rápida y eficaz alternativa a los tratamientos físicos HMT convencionales. Se trataron granos de trigo sarraceno a varias humedades iniciales (13%, 20%, 25% y 30%) y en dos sistemas de procesado: en recipiente no hermético o en abierto (donde la muestra evolucionó durante el tratamiento a humedad variable) y en recipiente cerrado (donde la muestra mantuvo una humedad constante durante su procesado). Los resultados obtenidos mostraron un efecto significativo de la humedad inicial del grano tratado, del sistema de tratamiento y de la interacción de ambos factores, sobre las propiedades tecno-funcionales medidas en las harinas obtenidas de la molturación de los granos tratados respecto a las obtenidas de granos nativos, sin tratar. Se incrementó la capacidad de absorción de agua en todas las muestras hasta un 22%. El índice de absorción de agua y el poder de hinchamiento sólo aumentaron a humedades mayores, mientras que disminuyeron a las humedades más bajas. La capacidad emulsionante se redujo con los tratamientos hasta ser casi nula en tratamientos a humedades del 30%. Sin embargo, aumentó la estabilidad de las emulsiones para el tratamiento en sistema cerrado a humedad 13%. Las propiedades de empastado también se vieron modificadas. Se obtuvieron incrementos de la temperatura de empastado de hasta 4ºC, y reducciones en las viscosidades de pico (hasta un 55%), final (hasta un 56%) y de la retrogradación (hasta un 58%), efectos que se vieron más intensificados en los tratamientos realizados a mayores humedades del grano y en el sistema cerrado. Sin embargo, se constataron pocas diferencias respecto al control a humedades bajas y sistema abierto.....Grado en Enfermerí

    The Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy Module for Reducing Acrophobia Symptoms

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    The amount of places that require a person to be in high-altitude circumstances is a barrier for people who are afraid of heights or also known as acrophobia. The therapist can offer a 3D stimulus using Virtual Reality (VR), making it a more efficient alternative to exposure treatments. Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy is the practice of exposing oneself to a fearful stimulus via a VR camera (VRET). The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of the VRET module in reducing acrophobia symptoms. The pretest-posttest control group design was utilized in the study. Participants with acrophobia were separated into two groups: the control (n=14) and the experimental (n=15) who received VRET treatment. They completed the Acrophobia Questionnaire (AQ) before and after the nine VRET sessions. Compared to control condition, participants in the experimental group reported lower scores in AQ-Anxiety and AQ-Avoidance. Furthermore, each exposure session results in a significant decrease in psychological assessments utilizing the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and Autonomic Perception Questionnaire scales. A significant decrease has also occurred in the Respiratory Rate and Skin Conductance indicators. According to the findings of this study, the VRET module is effective in reducing the psychological and physiological symptoms of acrophobia
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