High relapse rate of drug-dependent patients is a serious problem in the current situation. The present article describes how to design and implement virtual reality technology for drug-dependent patients with psychological treatment, with the aim at the addiction withdrawal. The software was developed based on open-source game engine for 2D models. The form of a game simulates the actual style in the day-to-day living environment of drug-dependent patients and the temptation of using drugs. The software helps the patients deal with different scenarios and different event handling, cause their own thinking, and response to the temptation from high-risk environment and from other drug-dependent patients. The function of the software is close to the real life of drug-dependent patients, and has a prospect to become a new treatment to reduce the relapse rate of drug-dependence.
Computer Simulation ; Humans ; Psychotherapy ; methods ; Software ; Substance-Related Disorders ; psychology ; therapy ; User-Computer Interface ; Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy ; methods

PURPOSE: The present study aims to verify the effectiveness of the reality therapy for patients with schizophrenia. METHODS: It is designed as a quasi-experimental study by which a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest is conducted. The test was conducted with 30 patients with schizophrenia who were hospitalized at a mental hospital in South Korea. Fifteen of the patients participated in the reality therapy program while another 15 in the control group. The effects are measured by marking scores in the areas of the locus of control, selfesteem, and problem-focused stress coping of each participant. RESULTS: The general characteristics and dependent variables related to outcome variables were controlled to be equal between the two groups. It turns out that the internal locus of control, self-esteem, and problemfocused stress coping are statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Findings show that the reality therapy caused positive changes in terms of the internal locus of control, self-esteem, and problem-focused stress coping of the observed schizophrenic patients.
Stress, Psychological/prevention & control ; Self Concept ; Schizophrenic Psychology ; Schizophrenia/*therapy ; Reality Therapy/*methods ; Middle Aged ; Male ; Korea ; Internal-External Control ; Humans ; Female ; Adult

Stroke remains one of the major causes of disability worldwide. This case report illustrates the complementary use of biomechanical and kinematic in-game markers, in addition to standard clinical outcomes, to comprehensively assess and track a patient's disabilities. A 65-year-old patient was admitted for right-sided weakness and clinically diagnosed with acute ischaemic stroke. She participated in a short trial of standard stroke occupational therapy and physiotherapy with additional daily virtual reality (VR)-based therapy. Outcomes were tracked using kinematic data and conventional clinical assessments. Her Functional Independence Measure score improved from 87 to 113 and Fugl-Meyer motor score improved from 56 to 62, denoting clinically significant improvement. Corresponding kinematic analysis revealed improved hand path ratios and a decrease in velocity peaks. Further research is being undertaken to elucidate the optimal type, timing, setting and duration of VR-based therapy, as well as the use of neuropharmacological adjuncts.
Aged ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Female ; Humans ; Occupational Therapy ; Physical Therapy Modalities ; Recovery of Function ; Stroke ; therapy ; Stroke Rehabilitation ; methods ; Treatment Outcome ; Upper Extremity ; physiopathology ; Video Games ; Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy ; methods