A conference on virtual reality opened today at the University of Haifa
Avi Blizovsky
The serious data according to which one in three soldiers who return from Iraq suffers a mental injury as a result of the fighting led to the development of a new virtual reality software. The software that was presented at the "Virtual Reality in Rehabilitation" conference held at the University of Haifa makes it possible to treat those soldiers upon their return and even prepare soldiers for battle in an almost real way. "Among the syndromes the soldiers suffer from, you can find depression, low self-esteem, flashbacks and suicidal thoughts," said Prof. Albert Rizzo from the University of Southern California, one of the developers of the software. "Preliminary treatment with the help of the software will be able to reduce the damage that may be caused to the soldier," he said.
The software helps the soldier experience combat through multiple senses. "The soldier wears special glasses that also include earphones and allow him to see the sights and hear the sounds of the battlefield. He can sense combat in an open area, in closed buildings, walking, driving a car, while flying in a helicopter and even using night vision devices," said Prof. Rizzo, who pointed out with a smile that today's soldiers grew up in a digital environment and it is easy for them to adopt and use the software.
The glasses measure the soldier's heart rate, the oxygen in his blood and provide additional medical indicators regarding his mental state. "Today, the software already treats a number of soldiers who returned with trauma from combat and report a reduction in symptoms such as nightmares and depression. By the end of 2006, about 200 soldiers will be treated with the software", Prof. Rizzo estimated.
According to him, the software is also suitable for doctors who go to the battlefield and have to deal with difficult medical dilemmas. "Many doctors arrive in the field lacking military skills. The software allows them to experience in advance what is about to happen in reality and to prepare themselves for various medical cases so that they will not have difficulty functioning under fire," he said, adding that the IDF will also be able to use the software. "The software is universal and can be adapted to any country in the world that wants to prepare its soldiers for the difficult experiences of combat" Prof. Rizzo concluded.
The software will be presented to the general public as part of a virtual reality technology exhibition that will take place tomorrow, Wednesday, June 21.6.2006, 15 at 30:XNUMX PM in the Rabin Building. Among the exhibits at the exhibition can be found: a virtual reality system for pre-treatment and prevention of post-traumatic syndrome, virtual games to improve the motor and cognitive function of patients and systems for working with autistic children.
A connoisseur of military technology
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