Virtual reality system to support drug treatment shortlisted for THE Awards 2012
Thursday, 06 September 2012
A still image from the virtual reality system
Using 3D interactive technologies, users navigate around virtual scenes such as bars, rooms in houses and outdoor spaces, where they experience some of the sensations that can trigger a relapse into drug or alcohol misuse
Congratulations to staff from the School of Systems Engineering who have been shortlisted for the Outstanding Contribution to Innovation and Technology prize at the Times Higher Education (THE) Awards 2012, for their work on a virtual reality system designed to help people in need of drug and alcohol treatment.
The collaboration with Swanswell, a national charity which wants to achieve a society free from problem alcohol and drug use, has led to the creation of a virtual reality computer game which helps people avoid relapsing back into alcohol or drug use.
The team, which includes Dr Faustina Hwang, Professor Paul Sharkey and PhD student Liam North, have worked to develop the game which recreates the ‘triggers' - objects, people and situations that can cause people to relapse - in a safe, virtual environment, supporting people to recognise and cope with triggers in real life.
Using 3D interactive technologies, users navigate around virtual scenes such as bars, rooms in houses and outdoor spaces, where they experience some of the sensations that can trigger a relapse into drug or alcohol misuse. The triggers recreated by the system include ambient sound from a pub or the noise of a jukebox, the sight of items such as bottles or needles, as well as more abstract features such as the time of day, unpaid bills or noisy neighbours.
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Dr Faustina Hwang, senior lecturer in interactive systems, said: "We are honoured and delighted to be shortlisted for the THE Awards. This project is a fantastic example of how by working closely with forward-looking organisations such as Swanswell, we can develop existing technology in new ways that have a real benefit to society.
"In the future, we want to further explore the development of coping skills through game play, and Swanswell is looking to include the game within various settings and is examining the potential for further development as a stand-alone product that can be used to complement traditional services."
Debbie Bannigan, Swanswell's Chief Executive, said: "We're delighted that the joint project has been shortlisted in the Times Higher Education Awards and that our innovative work is being recognised.
"The University of Reading's expertise and knowledge has been instrumental in the development of the virtual therapy application. The collaboration is proving to be very beneficial to the people Swanswell is helping every day.
"It's the first time serious games, virtual exposure therapy and e-therapy have all been brought together, so we're really excited about the future of this technology, as we work to achieve a society free from problem alcohol and drug use."
Initial trials of the system have been promising, with service users feeling the technology supported discussion and enabled reflection on their own behaviour.
Drug and alcohol misuse costs the UK more than £33 billion a year in health and criminal justice costs and lost productivity, and affects an estimated 1.9 million people with dependency issues and 14.9 million with hazardous drinking habits.
While most do not engage with treatment services, it is hoped that such innovative treatment methods - with computer technology that many people are increasingly comfortable using - can help bring more people into treatment.
This Partnership received financial support from the Knowledge Transfer Partnerships programme (KTP). KTP aims to help businesses to improve their competitiveness and productivity through the better use of knowledge, technology and skills that reside within the UK Knowledge Base. KTP is funded by the Technology Strategy Board along with the other government funding organisations.