Oct 4 2010
2010 Fall Editorial

Journal of CyberTherapy & Rehabilitation

Fall 2010, Volume 3, Issue 3

 

 EDITORIAL

We are pleased to bring the Fall 2010 issue of the Journal of CyberTherapy & Rehabilitation (JCR) to our expand- ing audience around the world. Our quarterly published peer-reviewed academic journal explores the uses of ad- vanced technologies for therapy, training, education, prevention and rehabilitation. JCR continues to actively focus on the rapidly expanding worldwide trend of applying groundbreaking technology towards the field of healthcare.

To educate our readers on new advancements in fields such as robotics, adaptive displays, E-health, virtual re- ality (VR) and non-invasive physiological monitoring as they are applied to diverse disciplines in healthcare, we present comprehensive articles submitted by preeminent scholars in the field. This issue includes topics such as the creation of a virtual aquatic world to aid in education and using night vision during operations to possibly allow greater VR immersion for patients while in surgery.

In the first article of this issue, Wrzesien presents a pilot evaluation of a virtual interactive learning system aiming to teach children about the Mediterranean Sea and relevant ecological issues. The author also considers ways to improve the software after receiving preliminary feed- back.

Next, King, Delfabbro and Griffiths show the reader how cognitive-behavioral therapy might be employed to treat addicts of video games and discuss preliminary treatment techniques for such an addiction.

Thirdly, Rodrigues, Sauzéon, Wallet and N’Kaoua present a study comparing subjects’ spatial performance on a pedestrian route based on the type of learning environment, real or virtual, the exploration mode used during the learning phase and the type of spatial test administered at retrieval. Through this study the authors hope to further

In the fourth article Cowan et al. discuss a serious game for the purpose of teaching orthopedic surgery residents a total knee arthroplasty procedure using a problem based learning approach. The study assessed user per- ceptions of the game’s ease of use and potential for learning and engagement.

In the following article, Stadie et al. examine the differences in efficacy of reconstructing a 3-D arrangement of objects presented as a real model, a magnetic resonance image (MRI) or a VR model. The findings were then ap- plied to real life scenarios aiming to optimize the visual basis for anatomy training and surgery planning.

In the sixth article, Mosso et al. present results of surgeries performed on rabbits using night vision goggles and list ways in which this could benefit patients in the future, such as allowing for greater immersion and distrac- tion during operations using VR in a dark room.

Lastly, Tse and Ho address the management of chronic pain in the elderly population, focusing on a non-pharmacological method known as multisensory stimulation therapy.

While continuing to provide our readers with the latest scholarly studies presented in an informative and engag- ing medium, we will continue to offer the newly added Continuing Education quiz (see page 337 for more details) each issue. In addition, we will now be bringing the readers book reviews, the first of which appears in this issue on page 334, discussing “Interface Fantasy: A Lacanian Cyborg Ontology” by André Nusselder.

Although JCR has been receiving international attention from peers, international institutions and international conferences for some time, we are excited to inform readers that JCR is also continuing to become more widely known and recognized by the scientific commu- nity, as evidenced by the fact that it is now indexed with PsycINFO, Elsevier, Cabell’s, Gale and EBSCO. This recognition will further our cause to inform the wider community about ways in which healthcare can benefit from the applications of advanced technologies.

I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank the contributing authors for their inspiring work and ded- ication to this field of research. I also want to as always thank JCR’s Associate Editors – Professors Botella, Bouchard, Gamberini and Riva for their leadership and hard work, as well as or internationally renowned Edi- torial Board for their contributions. Thank you also to our outside reviewers for taking the time to ensure the rigorous nature of the articles.

As always, we welcome your submissions, comments, and thoughts on innovation.

Lastly, I would like to recognize what a huge success our 15th CyberPsychology & CyberTherapy Conference, held in Seoul, Korea in June, was. As you know, JCR is one of the two official journals of the International Association of CyberPsychology, Training & Rehabilitation (iACToR). The annual international conference series agreed, in 2009, to become the official conference of iACToR. So, along with CyberPsychology, Behavior, & Social Networking Journal (CPB&SN), CyberTherapy & Rehabilitation (C&R) Magazine, and JCR, we cele- brate our Combined Communications Platform. We are very excited for next year’s conference to be held June 20-22 in Gatineau, Canada.

We look forward to the future growth of our cause and thank you, our readers and subscribers, for your continued support.

 

 

Brenda K. Wiederhold, Ph.D., MBA, BCIA

Editor-in-Chief, Journal of CyberTherapy & Rehabilitation

Virtual Reality Medical Institute

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Mar 2 2009
2009 Spring Editorial

Journal of CyberTherapy & Rehabilitation

Spring 2009, Volume 2, Issue 1

 

                                                                EDITORIAL

As we begin 2009, I want to say “vielen herzlichen Dank” to all those who believed in our new Journal of CyberTherapy    &    Rehabilitation    ( JCR)    and    encouraged its formation. JCR was founded after many requests from the community and exists to support the communi- ty. Our inaugural year, 2008, is now behind us, and I am pleased at the reception given by those already in the community, as well as those just discovering the benefits of adding technology to existing healthcare methods and protocols. JCR has thus far published articles by researchers and scientists from around the globe, and is disseminating its newest findings and research through advanced technologies to multiple continents and over thirty-nine countries. Led by an internationally renowned Editorial Board, JCR’s authors and board members currently hail from Australia, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Mexico, the Netherlands, Portugal, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States. JCR is truly international and our aim is to disseminate premier research findings to all corners of the globe.

I am also proud to say that our companion publication, CyberTherapy & Rehabilitation (C&R) Magazine, was launched in December 2008. While JCR is a peer- reviewed, scientific journal, C&R serves as the voice of our association and covers clinically focused and prac- tice-driven articles, congress reports, news and other relevant topics appealing to a wider readership includ- ing industry professionals, policy makers, clinicians, and individual citizens.

In 2008, I had the sincere pleasure of participating in many international conferences, in addition to organizing the 13th annual CyberTherapy Conference in San Diego. Each conference was for me an enjoyable learn- ing experience, and I left each full of amazement at how far we have come. It is inspiring to hear both newcom- ers and veterans of cyber-psychology, therapy, training, and rehabilitation reporting on new discoveries; expand- ing this seemingly infinite field.

As Editor-in-Chief of the official journal of the 14th annual CyberTherapy & CyberPsychology conference (CT14), I am especially looking forward to the upcom- ing international conference which is being held in beau- tiful Lago Maggiore (Verbania), Italy 21-23 June 2009. CT14 has already gained much attention from interna- tional organizations and, as in years past, promises to host an international crowd of pre-eminent scientists and industry leaders.

This issue of JCR encompasses research from some of the finest scholars in the field. With submissions detailing some of the most promising applications for technology in therapy, rehabilitation, gaming, and online studies, we are proud to publish studies that have laid the ground- work for this ever-changing field up to this point. This year we are focusing on more in-depth studies, while in 2008, many of our articles served as a review of specialty areas in cybertherapy and rehabilitation. I am grateful for all the authors’ hard work, groundbreaking ideas, and sci- entific rigor in disseminating findings to help progress our community. I am both pleased and honored to pub- lish the articles in this issue knowing full well the time, energy, and countless hours these papers required.
In our first paper, Tarnanas et al. describes the basic sys- tem architecture used for virtual reality (VR) emotional human agents and develops a new method of a relative scored personality measure. The article discusses the use of VR as a potential tool for personnel screening and selection in organizations.

The second article by King and Delfabbro evaluates the status of heavy game players in comparison with Australian normative data. The physical and mental health of over 400 users, described as “heavy” video game players, was assessed.

Next, Hoffman et al. studies how interactivity influences the magnitude of VR analgesia. Hoffman explores immer- sive VR as an alternative to traditional pain medications for burn victims during their treatment. The use of a high-tech helmet has broken ground on this interactive vs. non-inter- active VR study.

The fourth article by Kott et al. uses a VR system combined with treadmill training for children with cerebral palsy. This pilot study combines treatment with the element of playful gaming to incorporate rehabilitation and technolo- gy with a level of fun.

Dr. Griffiths, in our fifth article, examines Internet addic- tion behavior and the use of Internet help and therapy for those suffering from it. It also investigates various types of online help and therapy available for online problem gam- blers and evaluates their overall effectiveness.

Next, Russoniello et al. investigates the effectiveness of casual video games in improving mood and decreasing stress. Russoniello et al. discusses the possible use of games to help treat stress-related medical disorders, including diabetes and depression. This study points to the potential of video games to both prevent and treat stress-related medical orders.

Our final paper, by Zurlo and Riva, discusses electronic brainstorming for creative idea generation. The study examined how the personality traits of group members and the characteristics of the communication process may impact both group creativity and productivity.

Once more, I would like to thank the authors for their incredible work and dedication to this growing discipline. I also want to thank JCR’s Associate Editors: Professor Botella, Professor Bouchard, Professor Gamberini, and Professor Riva for their leadership and hard work; as well as our internationally renowned Editorial Board for their many contributions.    Our next issue will continue to explore the ways in which technology influences and enhances the healthcare of citizens throughout the world. JCR is interested in original research and ideas for future thematic issues from you, our readers. This is your journal, so please contact us with your interesting manuscripts and ideas. Thank you for your continuing support of JCR. The possibilities and potential for advanced technology in healthcare are unlimited, and I am proud to be a part of such a thriving and groundbreaking community. To employ a famous quote: “Together, we can make a difference!” We can change healthcare as we know it!

 

 

Brenda K. Wiederhold, Ph.D., MBA, BCIA

Editor-in-Chief, Journal of CyberTherapy & Rehabilitation

Virtual Reality Medical Institute

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