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- Peace is not just a dream: a VR helmet will relieve the stress of machinists and sailors in 17 minutes.
Peace is not just a dream: a VR helmet will relieve the stress of machinists and sailors in 17 minutes.
A VR helmet based on a Russian stress relief system has proven effective in restoring the strength of employees whose work is associated with high psychological stress. Tests involving Russian railway drivers and sailors from the fishing fleet have shown positive results. The development immerses a person in a comfortable environment and reduces stress levels in 17 minutes due to a certain algorithm of eye movement. However, psychologists warn that such systems are not yet fully standardized, and for some users, immersion in virtual reality is dangerous with panic attacks or other consequences.
Tests on railways
Russian Railways doctors, during tests with the participation of locomotive crews, confirmed the effectiveness of the system based on virtual reality technology to quickly relieve stress among their employees. The development immerses a person in a comfortable environment, "sending" them, for example, to the beach or into the forest, and due to a certain algorithm of eye movement (the technique of eye desensitization and processing, DPDG) reduces the level of psychological stress in one session lasting only 17 minutes.
— The purpose of the study was to study the effectiveness of using VR technologies with a DPDG component to restore the psycho-emotional state of locomotive crew workers. 33 employees took part in the pilot. Piloting was carried out after a work shift. The data obtained indicate a positive effect of the technique on the psycho-emotional state of employees. The effect of reducing anxiety and normalizing heart rate is especially noticeable. The study confirmed the effectiveness of the approach for correcting the psycho—emotional state of employees," said Natalia Kostenko, Head of the Medical Activities Department of the Central Directorate of Healthcare of Russian Railways.
According to the test results, the experts recommended further research of the technology to optimize the recovery processes of the staff.
The possibilities of the domestic Cyberly One VR behavioral therapy platform were experimentally tested. It is designed to quickly relieve stress and prevent psychological disorders, and in the future it can be used to treat various mental illnesses, such as post-traumatic stress disorder.
— Virtual reality allows you to put a person in a pleasant environment. We have created a set of different environments in which we use clinically proven techniques. In addition to DPDG, it is a method of exposure, that is, visualization of objects or situations that cause negative feelings, as well as conscious breathing. Relaxation modules alternate with therapeutic ones. In just 17 minutes, the participant recovers his strength and can work out situations that cause him anxiety," said Olga Arinina, system developer and CEO of Kiberli LLC.
According to the developer, most similar systems simply help to relax, but do not use clinical techniques. Another important feature of the proposed platform is biofeedback. The program monitors the user's pulse and reacts to its changes.
— In the DPDG module, a person follows a certain trajectory for emerging objects and executes the commands of the audio guide. This is an analogy to the natural process in the fast phase of sleep, when the brain processes the information accumulated during the day and you dream. We are opening access to the neural network where the memory of the problem is based. As a result, the negative emotional component of the situation disappears from the person. He is no longer hampered by emotions, and he can act more effectively," she said.
Experiments at sea
Tests of the system also took place among the personnel of the fishing vessel. Prolonged exposure of seafarers to confined spaces increases stress levels, which can reduce work efficiency.
Virtual reality is a new, as yet little—studied field, it has potential, but its effectiveness will depend on how well the technology is customized for a particular person, his perception, profession and lifestyle, says Mikhail Rudko, Head of the External Relations and Cultural Projects Service at Okeanrybflot JSC.
— For example, it is important specifically for sailors that such programs take into account the specifics of marine life: someone is relaxing, looking at the waves, and for someone, on the contrary, it is important to "move away" from the sea — to see mountains, forests, and campfires. This is very individual, and such nuances should be taken into account when we talk about real effectiveness," said the specialist.
The purpose of testing such solutions on ships, which the company is currently conducting, is not only to assess the emotional effect, but also to understand how the technology is generally applicable in marine conditions.: how it works when pitching, how it feels after physical fatigue, and how comfortable it is for the crew. If VR technologies prove to be a real help, there will undoubtedly be a place for them in the navy, he added.
According to the creators of the system, for its medical use in the treatment of PTSD and other mental disorders, it is necessary to conduct clinical trials, for which they are currently preparing.
The implementation of the Cyberly One platform on railways and fishing vessels will be a significant step in the field of employee mental health care. They often face high levels of stress and potential burnout due to the specifics of their work - long shifts, adverse weather conditions and the need to make quick decisions in critical situations, says Olga Valaeva, head of the NPC Virtual Clinic at the Moscow Institute of Psychoanalysis.
— However, it should be remembered that standardized VR intervention protocols have not yet been developed, which makes it difficult to compare results and establish consistent best practices. There are also a number of limitations to the mass use of VR. For example, in patients with panic attacks or agoraphobia, in a number of scenarios, immersion in stressful situations can cause severe anxiety and panic reactions, worsen the condition," said the psychologist.
VR scenarios should also be used with great caution in autism and PTSD, she stressed.
The project, supported by the Moscow Innovation Cluster, was presented at the Moscow Startup Summit, an international summit on Technological Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
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