Studies in health technology and informatics
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Stud Health Technol Inform · Jan 2011
Randomized Controlled TrialControl over the virtual environment influences the presence and efficacy of a virtual reality intervention on pain.
The main aim of this study is to investigate whether the control the user has over a virtual environment (VE) influences the sense of presence. A secondary purpose is to explore the relationship between Virtual Reality (VR) presence and pain tolerance during a cold-pressor experience. Ninety-four participants underwent two consecutive cold-pressor trials, one without VR exposure and the other providing a VR stereoscopic figure used as a symbolic representation of the sensation of pain. ⋯ Participants had a higher pain tolerance during both VR conditions than in the no-VR trial, with a greater increase in pain tolerance from the non-VR trial in the interactive condition. Presence scores correlated significantly and positively with pain tolerance scores. We discuss the importance of VR interaction and control over the VR environments used in VR pain interventions designed to increase cognitive control over pain.
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Stud Health Technol Inform · Jan 2011
Randomized Controlled TrialInteractive and passive virtual reality distraction: effects on presence and pain intensity.
The current study explores the effects of interactive versus passive Virtual Reality (VR) distraction on the sense of presence and pain intensity. Sixty-eight healthy students (mean age 21.8, SD = 4.3) underwent two consecutive cold-pressor trials (subject's hand immersed into 6 °C water as long as possible, with a time limit of five minutes), one without VR and another providing a VR distraction "Surreal World." Participants were randomly assigned to an interactive VR distraction condition, where a number of interactions with the environment were possible, or to a passive VR distraction condition, where they were also exposed to the surreal world, but instead of interacting with the virtual environment, they watched the navigation generated by another participant assigned to the interactive condition. ⋯ However, in the passive VR condition, only 5.9% of participants showed a decreased level of pain intensity relative to the no-VR trial. Also, the amount of presence reported was significantly higher during the interactive VR distraction and correlated negatively with pain intensity scores.
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Stud Health Technol Inform · Jan 2011
Reality graded exposure therapy with physiological monitoring for the treatment of combat related post traumatic stress disorder: a pilot study.
A high percentage of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) combat veterans have been diagnosed with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during and following their respective combat tours. Virtual Reality (VR) treatment has been documented as an exceptional treatment for anxiety disorders and specifically for PTSD. ⋯ A significant reduction in PTSD symptoms severity was noted. Implications for treatment with VR-GET and future research areas of investigation, including the use of VR-GET with smart phones and the internet, are suggested.
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Stud Health Technol Inform · Jan 2011
Comparative StudyA comparison of videolaryngoscopic technologies.
Difficulty in managing the airway is a major contributor to the morbidity and mortality of the trauma patient. The video laryngoscope, with its camera at the distal tip of the intubation blade, allows the practitioner an improved view of the glottic opening during intubation. ⋯ The purpose of the present study was to assess and compare the video quality of commercially available video laryngoscopy systems. It was found that between the STORZ C-MAC and the Verathon GlideScope® there was little difference between the video quality; the difference came down to user preference.
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Stud Health Technol Inform · Jan 2011
A pilot study on understanding the journey of advanced prostate cancer patients.
To understand the journey of advanced prostate cancer patients for supporting development of an innovative patient journey browser. ⋯ The results have provided a foundation to the architecture of the proposed technology solution. The outcomes of this study are incorporated in design of the proposed patient journey browser system. A basic version of the system is currently being used at the advanced prostate cancer MDT meetings.