The Benefits of "Exergaming"

In the few last years, the gaming industry has introduced games that require physical movement. No more sitting with a controller in your hand couch-potatoting it up all day long. Now, when it comes to gaming, you gotta move it or lose it.

For example, Nintendo Wii requires each player to swing golf clubs, tennis racquet's and throw bowling balls. Playmotion has volleyball, shufflepuck and soccer. Gamercize has wrestling and racing. There's yoga, snowboarding and a host of other activities that keep the fun going and keep your body moving.

Research says that "Exergaming" has more than entertainment value. It offers great physical and mental benefits. I totally agree.

Technology rocks.

Klein, M., & Simmers, C. (2009). Exergaming: Virtual inspiration, real perspiration Young Consumers: Insight and Ideas for Responsible Marketers, 10 (1), 35-45 DOI: 10.1108/17473610910940774

Portable Hugs

Brian Mullen, a doctoral mechanical engineering student at The University of Massachusetts Amherst, has developed a portable hug vest - also known as a "deep-pressure” vest.


The vest, available for children and adults with sensorimotor issues or mental illness, delivers a “portable hug” via Deep Pressure Touch Stimulation (DPTS).



DPTS has been around a while, helping to reduce anxiety and harmful behaviors by providing a calming sensory experience. It has been shown to improve the lives of individuals with Autism, Alzheimer's, Asperger's, ADHD, PTSD and other neuropsychological illnesses. And FYI, blankets, sleeping bags, other clothing and accessories are available in weighted forms.



It's always so cool when technology enhances lives.

Phobot: The Phobic Robot

Phobot - a robot created by students from the University of Amsterdam - won top honors at an international conference on Human-Robot Interaction .

Phobot was created to help children deal with phobias. It is programmed to be specifically frightened of other robots. It displays fear, anxiety and avoidance when it is initially confronted by another robot. But as the Phobot moves through a psychological-behavioral program of being exposed to little robots to bigger and bigger ones, it overcomes its fears.

So clever.

For more on this, read here

The "Stress Eraser"

I admit it.


I'm a tech geek.


And look what I happened to find this while surfing.

It's from The Sharper Image and it is a gadget called "The Stress Eraser":

"The StressEraser™ is an award-winning, hand-held biofeedback medical device designed to calm your mind and relax your body in just 15 minutes.

The StressEraser's effectiveness is based on science's understanding of the physiological manifestations of psychological stress.

The StressEraser focuses your mind and guides your breathing to synchronize with a calming BreathWave™ pattern.

After just two weeks of 15-minute nighttime sessions, expect to feel consistently calmer, more patient as well as more energetic during the day. Reach for The StressEraser at anytime, day or night, when you want to feel less stressed.

The StressEraser was honored with Frost & Sullivan's 2006 Medical Industry Award for Technology Innovation of the Year for helping individuals achieve physiological, mental and emotional relaxation — non-invasively and without drugs."

Technology can be great. And if this can help a person move through stress in a successful way, I say, "Woohoo!"

Of course, a gadget like this may only help in mild levels of stress. If you are experience moderate, serious or profound stress, seek professional help from a real person.

The "Eyes" Have It

Did you know that the human iris pattern is more unique than fingerprints?

Though your retina can change with age, your iris remains intact. And no two iris blueprints are mathematically alike, even between identical twins and triplets.

Iris Scan technology has been growing for several decades. Many secured registered-traveler programs in the US and Canada incorporate iris scanning as part of their standards - allowing registered travelers to breeze through airport security. In the UK the "Iris Recognition Immigration System" is a fast and secure way to clear immigration. And in Amsterdam, you can fly passport free with iris scan recognition.

Many schools are implementing iris scanning to help with security, law enforcement uses this biometric technology to track prisoners, identify missing or lost children and senior citizens. Banking establishments and governmental agencies use the technology to prevent fraud, identity theft and terrorism.

But did you know that your iris can now detect your personality?

According to a recent Swedish study, people who are warm, loving, and trusting are more likely to have a greater number of crypts or pits on their iris. People with more furrows, or lines around the outside of the iris are more neurotic and prone to impulsiveness. The Pax6 gene, which is linked with tissue growth both in the iris and the brain, is also involved with the development of positive emotion and self-control.

Identification technology AND a personality profile?


The EYES really do have it!

Resource

Larsson, M., Pederson, N.L. & Stattin, H. (2007). Associations between iris characteristics and personality in adulthood. Biological Psychology, In Press.

Virtual Reality & Hallucinations

Wired.com recently highlighted the use of virtual reality technology for helping others understand what it is like to have hallucinations or delusions.

Created by Janssen Pharmaceutica, the virtual reality training system is being used to advocate for those who suffer mental illness, particularly Schizophrenia. Creating empathy, compassion and understanding is the goal of this technology. Several states are already using it as are law enforcement agencies, corrections departments and mental health professionals. It would be great if judges in the court system could have a go with this technology --- and so should everyone working in the Managed Care Health industry!

The system offers two interactive scenarios. In one, the subject experiences a bus ride where passengers randomly appear and disappear, where birds of prey claw at the windows and voices taunt and whisper. The other features a trip to the drugstore, where a pharmacist hands the subject poison instead of the prescribed medication, and hostile customers stare in disgust.

Robotic Pet Therapy

Paro , the world's most therapeutic robot, was developed by Japan's National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology to provide emotional well being to humans.

Based on the well-known properties of Pet Therapy , "Paro" - who is a Baby Harp Seal - has been designed to provide relaxation, entertainment and emotional companionship for children and adults who cannot care for a live animal, or whose environment prevents cohabitation with a live animal. Take a gander at all this amazing robot offers:

Covered in soft white antibacterial fur, Paro's artificial intelligence means it can mimic animal behavior and over time, even develop its own character. Paro has five kinds of sensors: tactile, light, audition, temperature, and posture sensors, with which it can perceive people and its environment. With the light sensor, Paro can recognize light and dark. He feels being stroked by tactile sensor or being held by the posture sensor. As Paro is an autonomous robot, it can express feelings, such as surprise, happiness, shyness and fear and voluntarily moves its eyes, head and legs. He can also recognize the direction of voice and words such as its name, greetings, and praise with its audio sensor. Oh, and by the way, this little guy recognizes seven different languages.

This amazing robot has been used in pediatric hospital wards, nursing homes, and with children who have special needs.

Technology is so cool.

Leave a Light On

It's that time of the year when the darkness sets in earlier, and the sun is but a short-lived friend.

While some people can shake the winter doldrums, there are those who become depressed or find their depression deepen during the dark months.

This is called Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Researchers have been able to identify several genes which work in concert with the "Suprachaismatic Nucleus", also known as our body clock, in determining our circadian rhythms.

Light Therapy has been endorsed for many years now for Seasonal Affective Disorder, and many of my patients have found it helpful. Light therapy helps suppress the winter withdrawal hormones, and produces active mood hormones. In essence, it resets the sleep/wake cycle.

I use Light Therapy in addition to the medication I take for depression.

I have my little device next to my computer and click it on and let the bright blue lights wash over me as I blog, surf and answer email. Since using the Light Therapy, I've found myself feeling much better than seasons before. The depression that usually deepens for me in the winter is nowhere to be found.

If you experience depression, it is important to have it professionally diagnosed. Once your diagnosis is validated, talk to your professional about treatments. Talk therapy, medication and their combination have shown the greatest treatment success for depression. Adding Light Therapy may bring even greater results.

Technology is so cool.

Blognote:
For an array of Light Therapy devices click this link:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_hpc/002-5555505-4180841?url=search-alias%3Dhpc&field-keywords=light+therapy


The picture above is the model I use ~ A Go-Lite P1 .



Resource
Apollo Health

Ringxiety: The Next New Disorder

Do you have the sensation that your cell phone is ringing or vibrating when it's not?

If so, you may have RINGXIETY.

Dr. David Laramie, from California's School of Professional Psychology, is the originator of the term and experiences "Ringxiety" as well. According to Dr. Laramie, people have grown emotionally dependent on cell phones for feelings of self-worth or for needing to be connected. Some more snarky experts think that "Ringxiety" is a need to feel popular, while sound experts believe hearing sounds that seem like a telephone's ring send an expectant brain into action, a checking-the-phone-reflex, so to speak. Whatever the origin, it appears that these needs cause people to be so desperate not to miss a call that they hear phones ringing or feel phones vibrating even when they are not.

I have the opposite of "Ringxiety". My phone is never on. I rarely use it. I spend money just to have it. I think the name of that disorder is "Sqaunderitis".


References
New York Times
Wordspy

Resistant Depression Looks to the Vagus Nerve Stimulator

Many people who experience depression have found tremendous relief of symptoms from talk therapy and antidepressant medications. But, there are many people whose depression does not improve with these treatments. These individuals have what is known in the clinical field as "treatment resistant depression". Up until now, those individuals with chronic depression were offered intensive treatments like Electro-Convulsive Therapy as a last resort.

Technology continues to be one the great cornerstones in treating psychological and psychiatric disorders. On July 15, 2005, the FDA approved Vagus Nerve Stimulation as a treatment for chronic depression.

The Vagus Nerve Stimulator (VNS) is not related to brain surgery, although it is a treatment that affects the function of the brain. VNS uses specific stimulation of the vagus nerve to send stimulation to specific parts of the brain that are involved in mood. It is not like Electro-Convulsive Therapy (ECT), a treatment that involves stimulation of the entire brain, results in short term memory loss and sometimes pain. Patients who have used VNS do not feel the stimulation from the stimulator since the vagus nerve does not have the type of nerves that carry pain signals. Nor does VNS interfere with memory loss. Patients having Vagus Nerve Stimulation can continue taking their other medications without worrying about side effects or interactions as well.

The Vagus Nerve Stimulator is a small device implanted under the skin near the collarbone. A wire under the skin connects the device to the vagus nerve in the neck. A physician programs the device to produce weak electrical signals that travel along the vagus nerve to the brain at regular intervals. These intervals ease the symptoms of depression. Five months after it was approved for sale, The VNS treatment for chronic, unresponsive or "resistant depression" is winning favor in the medical and psychological community.

Houston-based Cyberonics says a growing number of psychiatrists and surgeons are being trained to use its Vagus Nerve Stimulator, and an increasing number of insurance companies are agreeing to reimburse patients for their costs. In order to be a candidate for this new treatment, you must be a severely depressed adult who had not responded to at least four different treatment regimens.

As of December 2005, 62 insurance providers had agreed to pay for costs associated with VNS therapy. And many other insurance companies have agreed to reimburse patients who use the device on a case-by-case basis.

For those who have endured depression for many years without relief from traditional interventions, this new technology can offer life changing results. And it furthers our understanding that depression is a real, biological issue!


References

Anderson, B. et al. (2005). Vagus nerve stimulation affects pain perception in depressed adults. Pain Research & Management. 10(1), 9-14.

George, M.S. et al. (2005). A One-Year Comparison of Vagus Nerve Stimulation with Treatment as Usual for Treatment-Resistant Depression. Biological Psychiatry. 58(5), 364-373.

Vagus Nerve Stimulation Therapy @ http://www.vnstherapy.com/

Cell Phones and Pagers: Stop the Madness!!!!

A recent study in the Journal of Marriage and Family [1] has illustrated that the round-the-clock availability cell phones and pagers provide have taken a toll on family life. This study, which followed more than 1,300 adults over 2 years, found that those who consistently used a mobile phone or pager throughout the study period were more likely to report negative "spillover" between work and home life -- and, in turn, less satisfaction with their family life.

Though I am a certified Tech Geek, I do not, DO NOT, use my cell phone. In fact, I throw away a good chunk of change just to have it in the chance emergency that I might need it. I don't want to be that reachable, that accessible, that connected. My pager is used for emergencies in my practice, which gratefully are not that often. And if George Clooney is trying to get in touch with me, he knows how to find me.

What ever happened to quiet and stillness?

It is my opinion that not only does the excessive use of cell phones burden the levels of stress on the body and the psyche, but that the art of patience is lost. We have become a society of instant gratification on so many levels. I worry about the fallout of it all. Am I alone in this aversion to the cell phone and to wax nostalgic for the olden days of letter writing, the weekly phone call and smoke signals?



Footnotes

[1] Noelle, C. (2005) Blurring boundaries? Linking technology use, spillover, individual distress, and family satisfaction . Journal of Marriage and Family, 12, pp. 1237-1248.

Virtual Reality Therapy: The New Horizon

I just attended a conference on Virtual Reality Therapy... a treatment that uses custom virtual environments that have been carefully designed to address a particular anxiety or phobia. Being a lover-of-all-things-new and an member of the geek squad, I could barely hold my enthusiasm for this promising clinical intervention. Right now, Virtual Reality Therapy is a small niche, where several research universities and forward thinking practitioners are using this exposure therapy for anxiety and phobic disorders[1].

The treatment involves exposing a patient to a virtual environment containing the feared situation rather than taking the patient into the actual environment or having the patient imagine the anxiety promoting situation. The patient puts on the headgear, and the virtual environment is controlled by the therapist through a computer keyboard. The treatment sessions allow the therapist and the patient full control of the exposure to the feared situations. Virtual reality exposure treatment allows the therapist to manipulate situations to best suit the individual patient during a standard therapy hour (usually 45-50 minutes) and within the confines of the therapist's office [2].

Here are actual Virtual Reality Therapy Scenes...

Fear of Flying
(Aviophobia)








Fear of Spiders
(Arachnaphobia)





Fear of Heights
(Acrophobia)

Fear of Thunder and Lightning Storms
(Astraphobia)





Fear of Public Speaking
(Glossophobia)








Virtual Reality Therapy does not only address psychological issues. VRT has also been used in the hospital and medical settings.















Dr. Hunter S. Hoffmann, a pioneer in Virtual Reality Therapy, recently completed a study of burn patients using headgear that allowed patients to enter a pleasant virtual reality environment as they underwent painful wound care.

Although this line of research is just beginning (with funding from NIH, the Paul Allen Foundation), results indicate a significant decrease in pain that patients experience[3].

And researchers at Emory University School of Medicine, Virtually Better Incorporated, and The National Institutes of Health (NIH), are testing the use of Virtual Reality Therapy to find out if it can help people with lower back pain learn how to relax, breath properly, and manage their pain [4].



Footnotes

[1]Schare, M. (2005) Virtual Reality Psychotherapy: Anxiety Treatment and Beyond. Nassau County Psychological Association Annual Conference, Garden City, New York, 10/28/2005.

[2] Virtually Better Website: http://www.virtuallybetter.com/

[3] Scientific American Hoffman, H. (2004) Virtual Reality Therapy accessed @ http://www.sciam.com/print_version.cfm?articleID=000CDC34-D80E-10FA-89FB83414B7F0000

[4] Emory University: http://www.whsc.emory.edu/pressreleases2.cfm?announcementidseq=2539