Virtual Reality in Psychological, Medical and Pedagogical Applications


Book Description

This book has an aim to present latest applications, trends and developments of virtual reality technologies in three humanities disciplines: in medicine, psychology and pedagogy. Studies show that people in both educational as well as in the medical therapeutic range expect more and more that modern media are included in the corresponding demand and supply structures. For the Internet and various mobile media, associated research and application projects now have fixed key words such as "E-learning" and "E-Mental Health" or "M-Learning", "M-Mental Health". This book aims to contribute to the current state of the corresponding efforts in the area of ??further promising technology - the Virtual Reality - designed to give an overview and secondly to provide a stimulus on specific projects, associated with the hope of giving to scientists and practitioners from the humanities an impulse for their own (further-) development, evaluation and implementation of various VR scenarios in the education and health sectors.




Falls and Cognition in Older Persons


Book Description

This book provides practical tools for fall prevention in cognitively impaired older adults. The text presents a comprehensive and state-of-the-art update that covers the pathophysiology, epidemiology, and clinical presentation of the event, which affects up to 60 percent of aging patients with cognitive impairment. Written by transdisciplinary experts in experts in geriatric medicine, rehabilitation, neurology, and physiotherapy, the text presents practical, evidence-based guidelines for the assessment, approach, and treatment of these patients and includes illustrations and resources for quick reference. Falls and Cognition in Older Persons is a unique contribution to the literature serving geriatricians, family medicine physicians, emergency medicine physicians, neurologists, rehabilitation and physiotherapy specialists, geriatric nurses, and those interested in public health.




Virtual Reality for Physical and Motor Rehabilitation


Book Description

While virtual reality (VR) has influenced fields as varied as gaming, archaeology and the visual arts, some of its most promising applications come from the health sector. Particularly encouraging are the many uses of VR in supporting the recovery of motor skills following accident or illness. Virtual Reality for Physical and Motor Rehabilitation reviews two decades of progress and anticipates advances to come. It offers current research on the capacity of VR to evaluate, address, and reduce motor skill limitations and the use of VR to support motor and sensorimotor function, from the most basic to the most sophisticated skill levels. Expert scientists and clinicians explain how the brain organizes motor behavior, relate therapeutic objectives to client goals and differentiate among VR platforms in engaging the production of movement and balance. On the practical side, contributors demonstrate that VR complements existing therapies across various conditions such as neurodegenerative diseases, traumatic brain injury and stroke. Included among the topics: Neuroplasticity and virtual reality. Vision and perception in virtual reality. Sensorimotor recalibration in virtual environments. Rehabilitative applications using VR for residual impairments following stroke. VR reveals mechanisms of balance and locomotor impairments. Applications of VR technologies for childhood disabilities. A resource of great immediate and future utility, Virtual Reality for Physical and Motor Rehabilitation distills a dynamic field to aid the work of neuropsychologists, rehabilitation specialists (including physical, speech, vocational and occupational therapists), and neurologists.




Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder


Book Description

The term Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is used to describe a group of children who have difficulty. with tasks involving movement such that it interferes with their daily living or academic progress. As with other developmental disorders such as autistic spectrum disorder, attention deficit disorder and dyslexia, DCD is now a prominent concern of both researchers and practitioners. This text is aimed at both researchers and professionals who work in a practical manner with the condition and includes professionals in health, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, health visitors, paediatricians, and - in the educational field - teachers and others who are in daily contact with the children - their parents. The essence of the text is that work with children should be guided by research evidence driving the clinical practice which in turn raisies more questions for research. The authors in this text have both experience in research and are engaged in the day-to-day clinical work with children and bring both of these to bear in the chapters they have written.




Virtual Reality in the Assessment, Understanding and Treatment of Mental Health Disorders


Book Description

In the computer sciences, virtual reality (VR) is usually described as a set of fancy technologies. However, in medicine and neuroscience, VR is instead defined as an advanced form of human–computer interface that allows the user to interact with and become present in a computer-generated environment. The sense of presence offered by VR makes it a powerful tool for personal change because it offers a world where the individual can stay and live a specific experience. For this reason, the use of VR in mental health shows promise: different types of research support its clinical efficacy for conditions including anxiety disorders, stress-related disorders, obesity and eating disorders, pain management, addiction, and schizophrenia. However, more research is needed to transform VR according to a clinical standard for mental health. This Special Issue aims to present the most recent advances in the mental health applications of VR, as well as their implications for future patient care.




Neurorehabilitation In Neurotrauma: Treating Traumatic Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries


Book Description

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) and Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI) can have long-term adverse effects on populations, including an increased risk of mortality, enduring disabilities and other long-term health problems. Both of these injuries affect large numbers of people, with between 250,000 and 500,000 people affected by a spinal cord injury every year, according to the WHO, and between 27 and 69 million people estimated to have been affected by a Traumatic Brain Injury worldwide. The effects of such injuries are far reaching and include loss of motor functions, impaired neurotransmission, neuroinflammation, apoptotic cell death (among others) and can cause persisting cognitive degradation and impairments. However, there exist a number of rehabilitative and regenerative processes and methods that help to restore motor functions and limit enduring disabilities within those affected by TBI and SCI, principally to facilitate neuroplasticity.




Advanced Technologies in Rehabilitation


Book Description

Intends to examine the focus and aims that drive rehabilitation intervention and technology development. This book addresses the questions of what research is taking place to develop rehabilitation, applied technology and how we have been able to modify and measure responses in both healthy and clinical populations using these technologies.




ACSM's Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription


Book Description

The flagship title from the prestigious American College of Sports Medicine, this critical handbook delivers scientifically based, evidence-informed standards to prepare you for success. Providing succinct summaries of recommended procedures for exercise testing and exercise prescription in healthy and diseased patients, this trusted manual is an essential resource for all exercise professionals, as well as other health professionals who may counsel patients on exercise including physicians, nurses, physician’s assistants, physical and occupational therapists, dieticians, and health care administrators. The extensively updated eleventh edition has been reorganized for greater clarity and integrates the latest Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.




Oxford Textbook of Neurorehabilitation


Book Description

Part of the Oxford Textbooks in Clinical Neurology series, this textbook will provide the reader with an understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of neurorehabilitation, as well as a clear idea about how (and why) to approach treatment decisions in individual patients.




Manual of Traumatic Brain Injury, Third Edition


Book Description

The third edition of Manual of Traumatic Brain Injury offers a thorough revision of the popular evidence-based guide to understanding and managing all levels of traumatic brain injury. Comprehensive in scope and concise in format, this reference describes the spectrum of injury from mild to severe and the continuum of care from initial injury to management of chronic sequelae. Chapters are designed with a practical clinical focus for targeted retrieval of content by topic area and for self-review. The text is organized into five sections. Part I addresses fundamental concepts necessary for understanding the underpinning of clinical decision-making. Part II is dedicated to mild TBI, including sport-related concussion, with chapters covering topics from natural history to associated somatic disorders, post-concussion syndrome, and PTSD. Part III covers moderate to severe TBI and details prehospital emergency and ICU care, rehabilitation, treatment of related conditions, and postinjury outcomes. Part IV focuses on TBI-related complications, including posttraumatic seizures, spasticity, behavioral and sleep disturbances, and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Part V reviews special considerations in selected populations such as pediatric TBI and TBI in the military, as well as medicolegal and ethical considerations in TBI, complementary and alternative medicine, and return to work considerations. Each chapter includes boxed Key Points which underscore major clinical takeaways, Study Questions to facilitate self-assessment and further emphasize core chapter content, and an Additional Reading list for a deeper dive into chapter concepts. Significant updates incorporating recent advancements in the field, combined with the clinical acumen of its experienced contributors, make this third edition the essential manual for healthcare professionals caring for individuals with traumatic brain injury. Key Features: Succinct format encourages targeted access to key clinical information Completely revised and updated third edition reflects current state of the art advancements Added content areas such as a new chapter dedicated to substance abuse and TBI expand the scope of material addressed Newly added multiple choice Study Questions in each chapter facilitate self-assessment of mastery of chapter material