2023-06-05 11:23:00
“In this study, we focus on people with depression, anxiety, bipolar or psychotic disorders, or people who suffer from burnout symptoms,” says Catheleine.
Regular relaxation exercises may require too much concentration and attention
Experiencing a lot of stress and disrupting sleep are known factors that play a role in the development or worsening of psychiatric complaints. Until now, there has not yet been sufficient structural attention for improving these factors in mental health care.
Catheleine: “Regular relaxation exercises seem to lead to improvement, but in their current form they require a lot of concentration and attention. It is precisely those skills that are often disturbed in people with a psychological problem”.
Virtual reality app ‘VRelax’ takes you to nature
“Met onze virtual reality app (VRelax) your senses are transported to quiet natural environments and you really have the feeling of being “completely away”. By using virtual reality, relaxing requires relatively little concentration and attention”.
Can be used independently, without the intervention of a therapist
VRelax can contribute to overcoming the current problems and barriers in mental health care. The app can be used independently, without the intervention of a therapist. In this way, the patient regains control and this intervention can be used in the familiar home environment. The app can also help to relieve the pressure on mental health care.
Cooperation
Catheleine: “We work together with several mental healthcare institutions in the north and central Netherlands (UCP Groningen, Lentis, Forte GGZ, Argo GGZ) and general practitioners in the north of the Netherlands. In addition, we work together with the University of Twente to implement compassionate technology in healthcare”.
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