LSU professor uses VR to help students with ADHD
Professor David Shepherd of LSU is spearheading cutting-edge research that uses virtual reality (VR) headsets and noise-cancelling headphones to assist students with ADHD to concentrate better on their academic work. This National Institute for Mental Health-funded study examines non-pharmacological approaches to treating ADHD, which was carried out in partnership with Rutgers University and the University of Zurich.
The project’s initial focus was on improving efficiency at work, specifically targeting high-performance office staff. After a college student with ADHD contacted Shepherd’s team to explain how hard it was to focus while living with four roommates, the study’s focus changed. An important turning point in the study was this encounter, which demonstrated the possibility of adapting technologies for children with ADHD.
The VR headgear and headphones isolate the user both visually and aurally, creating a space free from outside disturbances. With the VR system’s ability to seamlessly integrate with a computer screen, this configuration allows people to concentrate fully on their jobs.
The application’s virtual stoplight, which monitors and promotes attention, is one of its noteworthy features. Jayden Armstrong, an LSU student, talked about his experience using the tool and how the attention levels cause the lights to move from green to yellow to red. Red signifies that efforts need to be refocused, while green shows that concentration is at its best. According to Armstrong, this characteristic acted as a driving force behind attention retention.
Shepherd’s method is distinct in that it seeks to offer a therapy option, in contrast to existing VR apps for ADHD, which mostly concentrate on diagnosis through simulated classroom settings. By helping users focus better, the application represents a major advancement in the treatment of ADHD.
Twenty-five students participated in Shepherd’s team’s first trial phase, completing ten or more one-hour virtual reality sessions from their homes or dorms. More than 250 hours of data were produced for processing throughout this procedure. The team is now extending the research to 45 to 50 kids, with all of them finishing 12 sessions, after encouraging findings. The study will be expanded to include hundreds of kids if these findings hold up.
This innovative study opens the door to a potentially revolutionary method of treating ADHD by providing a non-invasive substitute that may help a great number of youngsters everywhere.
