TILT – Therapeutic Innovations in Light of Technology
also be therapist intervention where a therapist talks through what they are seeing in the virtual environment to try and change the way the patient thinks. The use of new technology therefore has a great deal of potential to help therapists treat their patients. The use of new technology such as AR and VR also allow the patient to learn behaviour in a less formal way. Some people who may be averse to seeking treatment with a therapist may find technology a less intimidating prospect. Despite being a form of illness that is growing worldwide research into treatments has been often neglected as it is an illness that is not readily visible. The use new technology can help in its treatment as has been shown with the use of VR to treat phobias and PTSD. Other new technologies such as the mobile phone (which
are ever becoming more powerful) can be used to provide timely information for those that suffer from mental health problems (i.e. sending automatic alerts to the hospital if they are in distress). Technology can therefore be utilised to the advantage of people that are ill mentally and physically. CONCLUSION New technology such as Serious Games and Virtual Reality are showing promise for the treatment of mental health problems. However, in order to gain further clinical acceptance throughout the world larger scale studies are required. The work thus far has indicated that semi-realistic graphical environments do have a cognitive and physical effect on the patient. In addition, new technologies such as mobile technology also provide opportunities to provide timely information using a discrete and ubiquitous technology. The Internet also provides an anonymous and accessible way to access treatment. Technology does not necessarily have to replace contact with experts such as Clinical Psychologists and Counsellors but can be used as a tool to help treat people who are receptive to the use of such new technologies.
About the Author: Dr David Haniff has worked as a Researcher at the University of Birmingham (UK), Loughborough University (UK) and the Open University (UK). He has published over 20 publications in Journals and International Conferences. In 2009 he founded the 'Pervasive Technology Lab (CIC)' (http://www. pervasive-technology-lab.org) a non-profit company looking into the use of new technology to help people with mental health problems. He is based in Milton Keynes, UK.
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