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Virtual simulation of magnetic resonance imaging as a method of exposure to the feared examination- a feasibility study
Nečas, Jaroslav ; Hocko Fajnerová, Iveta (advisor) ; Kuchař, Jakub (referee)
This thesis is a feasibility study, carried out by the Center for Virtual Reality Research in Mental Health and Neuroscience in National Institute of Mental Health. It studies the feasibility and potential usability of virtual simulation of the magnetic resonance imaging procedure as a method of lowering the fear of claustrophobic patients of this procedure. The theoretical part of the thesis explores the subject of virtual reality, its technology, concept of presence and the clinical applications of virtual reality. Additionally, it inspects the area of anxiety and claustrophobia in relation to magnetic imaging procedure and possible interventions. Furthermore, it discusses the topic of virtual reality usability as an intervention procedure. The analytic part of the thesis laid out two research goals. First, to evaluate the usability of virtual reality simulation with claustrophobic patients, and second, to assess the potential of this simulation in lowering the fear of real magnetic resonance. The results show the ability of the virtual simulation to effectively produce anxiety in claustrophobic patients and its potential to lower the fear of real magnetic resonance procedure.
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The use of experiential virtual reality to minimize anxiety in children with life-limiting condition.
Zubková, Anna ; Hocko Fajnerová, Iveta (advisor) ; Vlčková, Karolína (referee)
This thesis focuses on the use of virtual reality as an experiential intervention to alleviate anxiety in children with severe life-limiting or life-threatening diagnoses. The literature review section is based on three main chapters outlining: a) the life of children with these serious illnesses with a main focus on frequent visits to health care facilities for medical care and treatment, b) the most frequently mentioned aspects of psychological distress in these children and their families, and c) background information and an overview of the possible use of virtual reality as a psychological intervention and its effect in the paediatric population. The empirical part of the thesis is designed as a feasibility study based on which, it was confirmed that VR intervention is feasible in the context of a hospital setting and is well tolerated and positively accepted by paediatric patients. The selected data collection methods are manageable and non-intrusive for children. The overall level of distraction was high for all participants, except one who reported the game as not very enjoyable and was unable to concentrate. Secondary analyses that were focused on a pilot evaluation of the effect of VR on anxiety reduction outlined the potential effect of VR in reducing anxiety. However, this pilot result...
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The use of virtual reality in therapeutic techniques of dealing with intrusive thoughts among patients with anxiety disorders.
Boss, Diana Isabela ; Hocko Fajnerová, Iveta (advisor) ; Dymešová, Gabriela (referee)
This thesis is a pilot study conducted under the auspices of the National Institute of Mental Health. The thesis explores the possibility of using virtual reality in the treatment of intrusive thoughts in anxious patients. In the theoretical part, the main topics, i.e. anxiety disorders, are described, focusing on generalized anxiety disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder, intrusive thoughts and virtual reality. The practical part focuses on the analysis of the research objectives. The first research aim is to test adequacy and acceptability of virtual reality in dealing with intrusive thoughts. The second aim is to compare the Stray Time technique (commonly used in the treatment of intrusive thoughts) presented in virtual reality to its classical form. Data were collected from patients, at the National Institute of Mental Health, admitted to Ward 1 or attending Day Care center 2. The objectives are validated using quantitative analysis methods. This analysis found evidence to support the adequacy and acceptability of virtual reality in the treatment of intrusive thoughts, as well as the comparability of Stray Time methods presented in virtual reality with the classical form. KEYWORDS virtual reality, intrusive thoughts, Scheduled Worry Time, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive...
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Psychological aspects of the use of digital technologies in toddlers
Šustrová, Anna ; Hocko Fajnerová, Iveta (advisor) ; Děchtěrenko, Filip (referee)
The topic of the thesis is the psychological aspects of toddlers' use of digital technology and the attitude of parents of toddlers towards their children's use of technology. The first section of the literature review deals with the specifics of toddlerhood in terms of physical, cognitive, socio-emotional development and in terms of toddler-parent interaction. Furthermore, the literature review focuses on the definition of the term digital technology, the characteristics of selected digital technologies and the way they are used by toddlers. The thesis also discusses existing research that addresses the potential impact of digital technologies on child development. Existing research mapping parental attitudes towards children's use of digital technologies is also presented. The empirical part of the paper aims to map the attitudes of parents of toddlers towards their children's use of digital technology. Through parents' responses, the thesis then indirectly maps the specifics of toddler's technology use in terms of amount of time, content of activities, device preferences, and how digital technology is conveyed to the child. The research was conducted using an anonymous online questionnaire that was designed for the purpose of this thesis. Respondents were selected for the research using a...
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Early stages of neurodegenerative diseases and their diagnosis using experimental cognitive tests with a specific focus on spatial cognition
Laczó, Martina ; Laczó, Jan (advisor) ; Telenský, Petr (referee) ; Hocko Fajnerová, Iveta (referee)
Early stages of neurodegenerative diseases and their diagnosis using experimental cognitive tests with a specific focus on spatial navigation Abstract This dissertation thesis is focused on early and differential diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) using experimental cognitive tests. AD starts as a preclinical stage, progresses to the mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and eventually to the dementia stage. It is crucial to diagnose AD very early to slow down its progression. However, the use of specific AD biomarkers, such as amyloid and tau positron emission tomography and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers, is very limited. Experimental spatial navigation and spatial pattern separation tests, unlike conventional cognitive tests, may have a strong diagnostic potential as they depend on brain regions affected early in AD. The first study in a virtual environment showed preference for word-centered navigation in cognitively normal older adults, while participants with early AD preferred body- centered strategy to compensate for neurodegeneration. Using a virtual navigation test, the second study showed different profiles of navigation impairment in MCI participants with AD and other (i.e., non-AD) etiologies and demonstrated that navigation assessment differentiated AD from non-AD participants. Various...
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Psychometric analysis of newly developed virtual reality application
Hurych, Jan ; Hocko Fajnerová, Iveta (advisor) ; Děchtěrenko, Filip (referee)
The thesis deals with the determination of psychometric properties of the scores of the newly developed application "Flies". This application is a serious virtual reality game for cognitive screening. The theoretical part first explains the concept of virtual reality in the context of psychological testing and then presents the advantages and disadvantages of this revolutionary technology. Relevant psychological functions are also mentioned, especially attention, which are important for performing well in the VR application Flies. In the last section, the theory related to ascertaining validity and reliability is presented. The development of this application, including two pilot studies, is described in the practical section. Reliability was ascertained using Bland Altman graphs of Limits of Agreement and correlation coefficients in a test-retest scenario. Evidence for the validity of the application is based primarily on the correlation of the application results with the age of the participants and the patterns of convergence and divergence with other relevant methods. The application scores show relatively low stability between the first administration and the retest, thus test-retest reliability was not proven. However, application validity was proven in a different study with a larger number...
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Face recognition and emotional expression processing in primates
Englerová, Kateřina ; Nekovářová, Tereza (advisor) ; Fajnerová, Iveta (referee)
Visual modality is one of the most important senses for primates and also for many other an-imals. It allows them to perceive stimuli from their environment - important objects and places, and also conspecifics or individuals of other species. One of the crucial cognitive skills, especially for social animals, is the ability to distinguish between individuals and their emotions due to different facial features and expressions.Aim of this work is to summarize the current knowledge about face and emotion recognition. It includes neurological mechanisms, experimental methodologies and comparison between species.
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Animal phobia: fear or disgust?
Peléšková, Šárka ; Landová, Eva (advisor) ; Hocko Fajnerová, Iveta (referee)
Animal phobias are among the most common specific phobias. It is traditionally assumed that two basic emotions are involved - fear and anxiety, although recent studies suggest that disgust may also be important. Phobias and involved emotions are defined mostly by psychologists and psychiatrists. Their manifestations could be identified mainly on physiological level and are being researched using advanced medical methods (e.g. functional neuroimaging). The eliciting stimuli of arachnophobia, ophidiophobia etc. are specific animal, spiders or snakes. However the category of elicitors for disgust sensu lato is fairly extended. The etiology of these phenomena is explained from the perspective of evolutionary biology and presumes biologicaly significant selective pressures and common coevolution. The aim of this paper is to summarize information gathered so far, verify proposed evolutionary hypothesis about the involvement of disgust in the etiology of animal phobia and to evaluate biological relevancy of fear of animal stimuli.
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