Using Virtual Worlds To Enhance Adherence
Virtual Communities May Foster Mental Health in Severely Ill Kids
Released: Wed 09-Aug-2006, 16:20 ET; Source: Tufts University
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Marina Bers, assistant professor of child development at Tufts University, is leading a longitudinal study that looks at the use of a virtual environment to enhance their adherence to especially difficult treatment protocols. Of special interest is the notion that these patients, as a result of their illnesses and treatments, have an intensified need to assert their independence and may act on this need by refusing to comply with their therapy.
Zora
Zora is a three dimensional virtual world Bers designed while studying at the MIT Media Lab. Zora allows children to operate within a virtual city and create avatars with their own biographies to represent themselves and interact with other users through a chat system.
The Study
A pilot project studied youngsters undergoing kidney dialysis and found, according to Bers, that “these kids were drawn out of their isolation by participating in these virtual environments on bedside computers. They were able to explore their identities, values, and hopes with privacy, yet still communicate with fellow patients, nurses, or doctors.” The current study will evaluate the progress of post-transplant patients using Zora at home over time
Commentary
Virtual worlds, video game platforms, and similar technology have been incredibly successful in enmeshing kids in the electronic environments they offer and would thus seem a natural solution to the problems of isolation and impaired functioning with which young transplant patients must deal. Early reports have been encouraging and it seems surprising that their is not more excitement and interest generated by this strategy.
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