International Association of CyberPsychology, Training, and Rehabilitation
iACToR Weekly Newsletter #38
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Opening Statement
Virtual reality is increasingly becoming an alternative for the treatment of many victims trying to overcome the pain and recover from traumatic events caused by the violence in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. A group of psychologists from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and the Autonomous University of Ciudad Juarez (UACJ) developed a therapy for people suffering from PTSD who have been the victims of a violent act or have witnessed one.
Prof. Georgina Cardenas is the director of the Virtual Teaching Laboratory and Cyber-UNAM as well as a former Membership Director of iACToR and a current leader of the Mexican iACToR chapter. “Because of the ‘critical situation’ of violence in the streets of Juarez, the city that has recorded the most murders in all of Mexico, [my lab] has decided to intervene,” said Cardenas. The treatment, which began last January, involves exposing the patient to virtual reality images that recreate a situation of violence in the streets of Juarez. The therapy, which was previously applied in Mexico City with positive results experienced 80% of the time, lasts 10 to 12 sessions and begins with the retelling of an event that places the patient in an anxiety-filled situation.
One patient who recently completed the virtual reality treatment explained how his life has changed and returned to normal with the help of the program. "In my case, I used to have to bypass the place where the event occurred because it reminded me of the pain. This treatment has gradually helped me to know how to handle the pain…[it] can be very painful at first but is very effective in the end."
To read more from the article which featured Proyecto Juarez, please visit http://bit.ly/r2rOqq.
To contact Prof. Georgina Cardenas, please visit her iACToR profile at http://iactor.ning.com/profile/GeorginaCardenasLopez.
Want to feature your latest project or study in a future iACToR Weekly newsletter? Please contact the Communications Director of iACToR, Mr. James Cullen at jcullen@vrphobia.com or through his iACToR profile at http://iactor.ning.com/profile/JamesCullen.
Calls, Conferences and Capital
The European Health Forum Gastein (EHFG) was founded in 1998 as a European health policy conference with the aim of providing a platform for discussion for the various stakeholders in the field of public health and health care. Since then the EHFG has developed into a key annual event, bringing together, politicians, senior decision-makers, representatives of interest groups, and experts coming from government and administration, business and industry, civil society and science and academia. These four groups of stakeholders with their perspectives constitute the four pillars of the EHFG. The EHFG further considers the vertical organization of societies and the EU by integrating regional, national, European and international levels and thus facilitating the exchange of views and experience amongst key actors and experts from the 27 EU members and the EEA countries, but also from the rest of the 52 countries of the WHO European region. For more information on EHFG, please visit http://www.ehfg.org/.
Top CyberPsychology News
Humans Invent - Long-haul flights that deliver massage therapy, a car that doubles as a mediation pod, and buses you can drive under. Welcome to the greener, smarter, high-tech future of transport years ahead of our time. And there’s not a traffic jam in sight. The future of transport will mean more than just electric cars and “Boris Bikes.” It will herald new technologies, smarter road use and new ways to commute on the road and in the air. To read more, please visit http://bit.ly/pfJy5k.
The Difference Engine: Beyond HDTV
The Economist - A year ago, your correspondent noted that, every generation or so, 3D entertainment becomes all the rage, only to fizzle as the technology’s shortcomings make themselves felt (see “The best seat in the house”, May 7th 2010). The entertainment industry’s enthusiasm for 3D hit fever pitch when James Cameron’s blockbuster movie “Avatar” was released in late 2009 and went on to gross $2.8 billion worldwide in 2010. Since then, the fad has faded even faster than your correspondent expected. While cinema owners welcomed 3D movies (they allowed them to increase ticket prices), movie-goers wearied of the clumsily used effects, the headaches and nausea that frequently ensued, and the sheer nuisance of having to wear special glasses. To read more, please visit http://econ.st/mOAa0Z.
Monitoring the Monitors: Screen Time Could Affect Your Eyes
Manassas Patch - Ever had a job that revolved around a screen? As technology encompasses more and more of life, many adults are exposed for at least 8 hours a day—and that’s only for work. Many health organizations including the Mayo Clinic recommend a limit of 2 hours daily screen time for children. Health magazine Modern Medicine found that more than 2 hours ups a child’s risk of psychological problems. A study by the Seattle Children's Research Institute and the University of Washington revealed that many preschoolers in fact receive almost double screen time, a disturbing fact considering the exposure is capable of disrupting critical brain development. To read more, please visit http://bit.ly/nYPLS5.
5 Ways to Get More Involved
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- Join your local iACToR Chapter! Please visit the Chapter page to request membership to the appropriate iACToR Chapter. This is an excellent way to become acquainted and introduced to colleagues in your area!
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- Invite your colleagues! On the right hand side, under your name, next to the friends hyperlink is an Invite hyperlink. We encourage you to invite your colleagues to join in the discussion.
- Update Your Profile and Comment on Others! Keep members up to date with your latest information. Post a blog, update your status, add a picture of yourself, and let the community know your area of expertise. All can be done with in your Profile page and we encourage you to do so!
Create your own reality!
Brenda K. Wiederhold, PhD, MBA, BCIA
Secretary General
International Association of CyberPsychology, Training, & Rehabilitation (iACToR)
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© 2024 Created by Brenda K. Wiederhold.
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