In this paper we introduce novel Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) treatments to improve the psychological well being of patients in palliative care, based on interviews with a clinical psychologist who has successfully implemented VR assisted interventions on palliative care patients in the Hong Kong hospital system. Our VR and AR assisted interventions are adaptations of traditional palliative care therapies which simultaneously facilitate patients communication with family and friends while isolated in hospital due to physical weakness and COVID-19 related restrictions. The first system we propose is a networked, metaverse platform for palliative care patients to create customized virtual environments with therapists, family and friends which function as immersive and collaborative versions of 'life review' and 'reminiscence therapy'. The second proposed system will investigate the use of Mixed Reality telepresence and haptic touch in an AR environment, which will allow palliative care patients to physically feel friends and family in a virtual space, adding to the sense of presence and immersion in that environment.
翻译:本文介绍新型虚拟现实(VR)和增强现实(AR)疗法,以改善接受缓和治疗的病人的心理福祉,其依据是一名临床心理学家的访谈,该心理学家在香港医院系统成功实施了对缓和治疗病人的自愿协助干预。我们的自愿和紧急援助干预措施是传统缓和治疗疗法的改造,这些疗法同时便利病人与家人和朋友沟通,同时由于身体虚弱和COVID-19相关限制在医院与家人隔离。我们建议的第一个系统是缓和护理病人的网络化、元化平台,与治疗师、家人和朋友建立定制的虚拟环境,作为“生活审查”和“迷信疗法”的浸泡和协作版本。第二个拟议系统将调查在紧急治疗环境中混合现实电讯和畅通感的使用情况,这将使缓和护理病人能够在虚拟空间感受到朋友和家人的身体感受,并增强在这种环境中的存在和沉浸感。