AMERICAN COLLEGE OF NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY The number of drug overdose deaths in the US has never been higher. Most of those deaths–68 percent in 2017–have involved opioids. An estimated 10 million Americans aged 12 and older misused opioids in 2018. Insights from virtual reality experiments could help break the cycle of addiction, suggests new research from...
Tag: <span>virtual reality (VR)</span>
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Virtual reality would make attending therapy easier for stroke survivors
by Matt Shipman, North Carolina State University Credit: jeanbaptisteparis. Shared under a Creative Commons license. Researchers have created a virtual reality clinic to make it easier for stroke survivors to attend their physical and occupational therapy sessions. Results from a proof-of-concept study suggest that the technology—and the social connection it facilitates—are effective at encouraging therapy participation. “Physical and occupational...
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EyeQue Insight Visual Acuity Screener: A Medgadget Review
Every year, our “screen time” continues to increase as our gadgets get bigger and brighter. According to the Vision Council, our digital devices are causing 60.5% of Americans to report symptoms of digital eye strain, and it’s uncertain how these devices will affect our vision long-term. Aside from taking frequent breaks from our devices, reducing screen...
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How virtual reality is helping scientists make new discoveries about our health
Caroline Stefani uses the Confocal VR program in the lab. In the background, an image of what she is seeing through the headset. Caroline Stefani has a cool job: She works at the Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason in Seattle, looking for new ways to treat diseases like multiple sclerosis and Type 1 diabetes. To do that,...
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Virtual reality for psychiatric treatment? Research shows promise for VR and other technologies in mental health care
A growing body of evidence suggests that virtual reality (VR) technology can be an effective part of treatment for phobias, posttraumatic stress disorder, and other mental health conditions, according to a research review in the May/June issue of the Harvard Review of Psychiatry. “Virtual reality is potentially a powerful tool for the psychiatric community,” comments lead...