Virtual reality to help disabled patients

Released on = July 6, 2007, 3:42 pm

Press Release Author = Ynez Santiago

Industry = Advertising

Press Release Summary = Two European groups of researchers have combined their
skills and expertise to develop a system that will offer virtual possibilities for
the rehabilitation of disabled patients.

Press Release Body = Arlington, Texas - June 27, 2007. - Two European teams of
researchers came together with the end goal of developing an innovative system that
combines virtual reality with that of the imagination to possibly aid in the
rehabilitation of disabled patients. The project was envisioned by the two research
groups that will work together through a European consortium, PRESENCCIA.

One team from Austria specializes in measuring the signals from the brain through
electrodes or implants, while the other team from London is known for creating
highly effective virtual reality worlds. The two teams aim to develop a virtual
world where a person can perform ordinary actions like lifting an arm just by using
the imagination.

A member of the Austrian group states that the use of virtual reality to aid in the
physical rehabilitation of patients is becoming popular these days. He further said
the innovative idea could offer numerous possibilities both with the physical and
psychological treatments.

The vision behind the project is to create a connection between the brain and the
developed virtual world. The system will apply electrodes to the scalp of the person
that will provide the electrical activity within the brain. This then will be
monitored by electroencephalogram (EEG) equipment. A simple action such as putting
one foot in front of another would then be magnified on a screen where a character
or an avatar would do the particular action that was being imagined by the person.
The system that will be used is such that it is trained to identify the individual
patterns of brain activity that can produce the virtual action.

To aid in the testing activity of the research, the person would be seated inside a
room where the stereo video footage would be magnified onto the three walls located
inside, plus the floor. To add to the 3D illusion, a pair of shuttered glasses will
also be used to create the feeling of being inside the virtual reality world.

How does the system help in the treatment of disabled patients? It provides a
controlled virtual reality environment where patients can imagine themselves doing
the actions that they otherwise could not do in reality. This way, the disabled
person conducts brain activity despite the absence of the physical movement. Hence,
the system provides motivational support to those who have various physical
handicaps.

Eventually, members of the two groups hope that the innovative system can also
provide handicapped persons to operate devices remotely.

And like the two European teams, PrintPlace.com also provides the latest technology
to aid businesses with their postcard printing needs. PrintPlace.com salutes
innovative researches and breakthroughs to help alleviate lives that is why they
keep abreast of new developments in the postcard printing industry to help you
design marketing mediums to suit your company.

###

About PrintPlace.com

PrintPlace.com is an online printing company based in Arlington, Texas that provides
quality, custom full color printing. Backed by experts and professionals, and
state-of-the-art equipment, PrintPlace can deliver fast, quality turn around in just
2 days. For more information on their products, visit their website at
www.printplace.com.

Web Site = http://www.printplace.com

Contact Details = 1130 Ave H East Arlington, Texas 76011, 877-405-3949,
ynez_santiago@yahoo.com

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