Page 14 - ADU Voice Volume 3 Issue 2
P. 14
14 voice · FALL 2023
Virtual
Empathy
WRITTEN BY ELEX YSMAEL (1093261), TAHMID
SHADMAN (1092726) & ABDUL RAHMAN
MANAR (1095080 )
ith the advancements in tech- The COVID-19 pandemic has signifi-
nology in the 21st century, cantly transformed societal dynamics,
W people have been better able influencing lifestyle factors such as daily
to satisfy needs such as education, com- routines, leisure activities, and social
munication and entertainment. Virtual interactions. Considering that humans
reality (VR) is one of those technologies had to have limited human contact
that aims to make human life easier. during lockdowns, a 2022 study pub-
However, despite the benefits VR tech- lished in the Psychology Research and
nologies provide, there are some issues Behavior Management journal con-
that arise from their use. cluded that VR fitness exercises proved
to be a viable alternative to fitness pro-
VR applications are designed for multi- grams and gyms.
faceted purposes, such as entertainment,
education, and healthcare. Research However, there are also some signifi-
suggests that VR may be used to miti- cant risks to health that have emerged
gate and treat mental health conditions with the advent of VR. VR sickness,
such as phobias, anxiety, and various also known as “cybersickness”, is the
disorders including drug addiction, discomfort experienced by users of VR
schizophrenia, psychosis, and depres- technology, which includes symptoms
sion. VR can work for these purposes like disorientation, nausea, and eye
by simulating anxiety provoking expe- fatigue. The causes of this malady are
riences in a controlled environment, as categorized into three factors: hard-
well as providing a more interactive and ware, content, and human. Hardware
realistic environment to practice cogni- factors include settings on VR devices,
tive therapy programs. such as display type and time delay,
