{"id":583420,"date":"2023-07-19T14:23:22","date_gmt":"2023-07-19T11:23:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/new-vr-therapy-helps-schizophrenia-patients-rehabilitate\/"},"modified":"2023-07-19T14:23:22","modified_gmt":"2023-07-19T11:23:22","slug":"new-vr-therapy-helps-schizophrenia-patients-rehabilitate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/new-vr-therapy-helps-schizophrenia-patients-rehabilitate\/","title":{"rendered":"#New VR therapy helps schizophrenia patients rehabilitate"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a3f38eb68c11\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a3f38eb68c11\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/new-vr-therapy-helps-schizophrenia-patients-rehabilitate\/#How_does_it_work\" >How does it work?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/new-vr-therapy-helps-schizophrenia-patients-rehabilitate\/#Promising_results\" >Promising results<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<div id=\"article-main-content\">\n                            Researchers at Semmelweis University in Budapest have t<a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/download-scripts-themes-apps\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"9\" title=\"Download Scripts &amp; Themes &amp; Apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">app<\/a>ed into VR to help the rehabilitation process of schizophrenia patients.<\/p>\n<p>According to <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.who.int\/news-room\/fact-sheets\/detail\/schizophrenia\">WHO<\/a>, the disease affects approximately 24 million people worldwide and is associated with considerable disability, often impacting all areas of life such as personal, <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/social-mediaa\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"1\" title=\"Social Media\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">social<\/a>, and occupational functioning.<\/p>\n<p>The scientists have developed the so-called <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/semmelweis.hu\/english\/2023\/07\/vr-therapy-helps-mental-health-patients-back-into-society\/\">VR-ToMIS<\/a> therapy method (short for \u201cVirtual-Reality based Theory of Mind Intervention in Schizophrenia\u201d), which aims to enhance the patient\u2019s mentalisation (Theory of Mind) skills \u2014 a fundamental component of human cognition and social interaction.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTheory of Mind is our ability to interpret the feelings, thoughts, and desires of others. Schizophrenic patients tend to decode these messages incorrectly. They often struggle to understand irony and metaphors, or misunderstand certain gestures. Our method aims to improve these skills,\u201d <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/semmelweis.hu\/english\/2023\/07\/vr-therapy-helps-mental-health-patients-back-into-society\/\">explained<\/a> Dr Lajos Simon, head of the university\u2019s Reality and Emotion research group.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_does_it_work\"><\/span>How does it work?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<div class=\"inarticle-wrapper latest channel-cta hs-embed-tnw\">\n<div id=\"hs-embed-tnw\" class=\"channel-cta-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"channel-cta-img\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/events.tnw\/hardfork-2018\/uploads\/visuals\/tnw-newsletter.png\"\/><\/div>\n<p><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/events.tnw\/hardfork-2018\/uploads\/visuals\/tnw-newsletter.png\"\/><\/noscript><\/p>\n<div class=\"channel-cta-input\">\n<p class=\"channel-cta-title\">The &lt;3 of EU tech<\/p>\n<p class=\"channel-cta-tagline\">The latest rumblings from the EU tech scene, a story from our wise ol&#8217; founder Boris, and some questionable AI art. It&#8217;s free, every week, in your inbox. Sign up now!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>VR-ToMIS, developed using the software of British startup <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/vtime.net\/\">vTime<\/a>, consists of nine sessions in total. It starts with an introductory one to familiarise patients with the <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/technology\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"4\" title=\"Technology\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">technology<\/a> and basic concepts such as the Theory of Mind. Then follow eight 50-minute-long intervention sessions.<\/p>\n<p>In the first step, patients wear VR glasses and become immersed in everyday situations that range from a walk on the beach or a blind date, to moving in with a roommate or meeting a new colleague. In all simulated scenarios, patients interact with an avatar controlled by a therapist. To uncover mentalisation deficits during the interaction, therapists use multiple linguistic tools, including metaphors, irony, humour, and double meaning sentences.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"post-image post-mediaBleed aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1398448 js-lazy\" alt=\"VR therapy schizophrenia \" width=\"753\" height=\"753\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 753px) 100vw, 753px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/07\/vTime_2019-01-09_08.20.16-753x753-1.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/07\/vTime_2019-01-09_08.20.16-753x753-1.jpg 753w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/07\/vTime_2019-01-09_08.20.16-753x753-1-210x210.jpg 210w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/07\/vTime_2019-01-09_08.20.16-753x753-1-135x135.jpg 135w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/07\/vTime_2019-01-09_08.20.16-753x753-1-96x96.jpg 96w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/07\/vTime_2019-01-09_08.20.16-753x753-1-270x270.jpg 270w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/07\/vTime_2019-01-09_08.20.16-753x753-1-192x192.jpg 192w\"\/><figcaption><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"#\" data-url=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Feditorial.thenextweb.com%2Fdeep-tech%2F2023%2F07%2F19%2Fvr-therapy-helps-schizophrenia-patients-rehabilitate%2F&amp;via=thenextweb&amp;related=thenextweb&amp;text=Check out this picture on: A therapy simulation. Credit: vTime\" data-title=\"Share A therapy simulation. Credit: vTime on Twitter\" data-width=\"685\" data-height=\"500\" class=\"post-image-share popitup\" title=\"Share A therapy simulation. Credit: vTime on Twitter\"><i class=\"icon icon--inline icon--twitter--dark\"\/><\/a>A therapy simulation. Credit: vTime<\/figcaption><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1398448\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/07\/vTime_2019-01-09_08.20.16-753x753-1.jpg\" alt=\"VR therapy schizophrenia \" width=\"753\" height=\"753\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/07\/vTime_2019-01-09_08.20.16-753x753-1.jpg 753w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/07\/vTime_2019-01-09_08.20.16-753x753-1-210x210.jpg 210w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/07\/vTime_2019-01-09_08.20.16-753x753-1-135x135.jpg 135w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/07\/vTime_2019-01-09_08.20.16-753x753-1-96x96.jpg 96w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/07\/vTime_2019-01-09_08.20.16-753x753-1-270x270.jpg 270w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/07\/vTime_2019-01-09_08.20.16-753x753-1-192x192.jpg 192w\"\/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<p>After this simulation is over, patients participate in a second interactive exercise with another novel VR device, the temporal disc controller. They are shown a 3D face on a screen and they\u2019re asked to infer the right emotions it displays by moving a mouse around it.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is a very useful task because patients can display these emotions even if they don\u2019t have the vocabulary to do so due to their illness,\u201d Dr. Edit Vass, assistant lecturer at the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy and co-developer of the VR therapy, told TNW.<\/p>\n<p>The two simulations are followed by analytical discussion between the therapist and the patient. This process identifies any changes in behaviour that are needed to help make the patient more adaptive to the situations they practised on.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBefore we suggest practising these modified behavioural techniques as homework between the sessions, we offer patients the chance to repeat the simulations so they can see how the change of their behaviour can affect their emotions and thoughts about the situation,\u201d Vass added.<\/p>\n<p>She believes that the therapy\u2019s overall \u201citerative approach\u201d contributes significantly to its success.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Promising_results\"><\/span>Promising results<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The testing phase of the VR-ToMIS method concluded in 2022, involving 43 patients. The researchers observed significant improvements in both the cognitive and negative symptoms of the participants. These include coherent thinking, social cognitive deficit, Theory of Mind, emotional bluntness, decreasing facial expressions, and apathy.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"post-image post-mediaBleed aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1398449 js-lazy\" alt=\"VR therapy schizophrenia \" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/07\/RS176573_3P1A1930-scr.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/07\/RS176573_3P1A1930-scr.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/07\/RS176573_3P1A1930-scr-280x187.jpg 280w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/07\/RS176573_3P1A1930-scr-203x135.jpg 203w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/07\/RS176573_3P1A1930-scr-405x270.jpg 405w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/07\/RS176573_3P1A1930-scr-796x531.jpg 796w\"\/><figcaption><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"#\" data-url=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Feditorial.thenextweb.com%2Fdeep-tech%2F2023%2F07%2F19%2Fvr-therapy-helps-schizophrenia-patients-rehabilitate%2F&amp;via=thenextweb&amp;related=thenextweb&amp;text=Check out this picture on: Dr Edit Vass with the the VR headset. Credit: Balint Barta\/ Semmelweis University\" data-title=\"Share Dr Edit Vass with the the VR headset. Credit: Balint Barta\/ Semmelweis University on Twitter\" data-width=\"685\" data-height=\"500\" class=\"post-image-share popitup\" title=\"Share Dr Edit Vass with the the VR headset. Credit: Balint Barta\/ Semmelweis University on Twitter\"><i class=\"icon icon--inline icon--twitter--dark\"\/><\/a>Dr Edit Vass with the the VR headset. Credit: Balint Barta\/ Semmelweis University<\/figcaption><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1398449\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/07\/RS176573_3P1A1930-scr.jpg\" alt=\"VR therapy schizophrenia \" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/07\/RS176573_3P1A1930-scr.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/07\/RS176573_3P1A1930-scr-280x187.jpg 280w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/07\/RS176573_3P1A1930-scr-203x135.jpg 203w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/07\/RS176573_3P1A1930-scr-405x270.jpg 405w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/07\/RS176573_3P1A1930-scr-796x531.jpg 796w\"\/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<p>The patients\u2019 feedback was also very positive. 93.3% of the participants found the method entertaining and 78% considered it an important part of their rehabilitation.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, 77.3% tried to apply the learned skills in real life situations, with 93.3% of them reporting subjective improvement in their communication skills, even if they didn\u2019t practise to a high extent. On the other hand, 26.7% of the patients found the temporal disc controller task a challenging part of the intervention and 13.4% considered it cumbersome.<\/p>\n<p><span>According to Vass, another crucial part of the method\u2019s success was the \u201coutstanding rate of patient compliance.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p>\u201cCompliance is the biggest obstacle to recovery in schizophrenia,\u201d she told TNW. \u201cIn our therapy there were no dropouts, so I think that VR might have a non-specific motivational effect. Of course, the therapist\u2019s approach might be another important factor as well.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Vass noted that, although a direct link between VR and motivation isn\u2019t supported by studies yet, \u201cthe main contributor would be the balance between the empathetic attitude of the therapist and the fact that this novel technology is very exciting for the patients.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Semmelweis University has already obtained the Hungarian industrial trademark for VR-ToMIS, with plans to secure an international trademark within two years. The next step is training professionals in the field to use the method, initially in Hungary.\n                        <\/p><\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMLG0nwswvr63Aw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">For forums sites go to <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/forum.buradabiliyorum.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Forum.BuradaBiliyorum.Com<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more like this article, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/technology\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Technology category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/thenextweb.com\/news\/vr-therapy-helps-schizophrenia-patients-rehabilitate\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Researchers at Semmelweis University in Budapest have tapped into VR to help the rehabilitation process of schizophrenia patients. According to WHO, the disease affects approximately 24 million people worldwide and is associated with considerable disability, often impacting all areas of life such as personal, social, and occupational functioning. The scientists have developed the so-called VR-ToMIS&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":583421,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/img-cdn.tnwcdn.com\/image\/tnw-blurple?filter_last=1&fit=1280,640&url=https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/07\/Untitled-design-6-5.jpg&signature=9a58dcd32cec9f521ff2304d8c88e307","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-583420","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-technology"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/583420","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=583420"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/583420\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/583421"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=583420"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=583420"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=583420"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}