Please feel free to get in touch with Boris (boris [at] popcha dot com) or myself (mark [at] popcha dot com) to discuss virtual health care initiatives.

Thank you again!

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Greetings TurtleThink Readers!

My name is Mark Kizelshteyn (Chronos Laval) and am founder of TurtleThink.com.

I am pleased to announce the publication of my article, Therapy and The Metaverse: Second Life and The Changing Conditions of Therapy For Convalescent and Chronically Ill Users, in Washington University’s Undergraduate Research Digest. Click here for a free copy.

To mark the occasion, on January 22nd at 1 – 2 SLT (PST), I will be doing a brief talk in Second Life on some of the major themes that were illuminated during the research process. And most of all, I would like to meet those of you I don’t know, answer your questions and start a long term dialogue about the immense opportunities in the therapeutic applications of virtual worlds.

The event will be kicked off by John Lester (Pathfinder Linden), who has been working tirelessly with Linden Labs to promote the healthcare applications of Second Life. This event will be hosted by Popcha! at their headquarters. (http://slurl.com/secondlife/Popcha/180/238/32)

Please RSVP by replying to mark @ popcha dot com. Optionally, let us know who you are and what you are up to.

Paper Launch: Therapy and The Metaverse: Second Life and The Changing Conditions of Therapy For Convalescent and Chronically Ill Users.
When: Thursday, January 22, 1 – 2 P.M. SLT
Where: Popcha HQ Sim
SLURL: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Popcha/180/238/32
Link to Article: Click Here

In the summer of 2007, I began to investigate therapeutic initiatives in Second Life. To my surprise, the virtual world was alive with organic support groups and unique therapeutic opportunities. I was instantly drawn to explore these communities and why so many users flocked to receive support in this unconventional space.

I spent a year investigating these sites and subsequently wrote my honors thesis titled Therapy and The Metaverse: Second Life and The Changing Conditions of Therapy For Convalescent and Chronically Ill Users.

The journey was moving and opened my eyes to the needs of so many under served in our world. Based on my research, I am confident that virtual worlds will provide an improved quality of life for generations of disabled, convalescent and chronically ill users through use of a conventional PC.

A professionally edited article based on the thesis was published this month in Washington University Undergraduate Research Digest.

Click Here to download a free copy of the article Therapy and Metaverse.

Abstract:
This study examines the therapeutic utility of 3D Massively Multi-User Virtual Environments (MMVE’s), specifically Second Life, for convalescent and chronically ill users. Three major therapy related simulations within Second Life are examined: Dreams, a space for people with autism and neurological conditions; the Heron Sanctuary, a disability haven; and Wheelies, a disability themed nightclub. Since this is an abridged version of my study, only one of the five case studies will be examined as a representative account of virtual therapy. Two main results surfaced through examining the three spaces and their users: a new form of complimentary therapy and a relationship between ‘virtual’ and ‘real’ well-being has been established. The first point explores how virtual worlds provide therapy forms outside of traditional and formalized setting with a medical professional or facilitator. The second point considers how virtual activities and therapies intersect with ‘real’ physical and emotional reactions. This research sheds light on a new frontier of therapeutic activities that facilitate a psychological and physical rehabilitative process through the social virtual environment Second Life.

To see the full journal, Click Here.

” Abstract: IMVU is an avatar based instant messaging environment. It allows for participation of anyone from 13 years of age and older. There are well over 100 healthcare support groups in IMUV. Many are more informal than those within Second Life, SL, or listed in the American Self-Help Group Clearinghouse, AS-HC. The number of groups and their membership can be broken down into categories, with similar amounts to SL and AS-HC. However, there are some differences, higher Mental Health, lower Disabilities groups and membership, that may be due to to younger demographics of IMVU. There is a long tail effect with a few groups having large memberships, but the majority having only a few members. Group growth rates can also me determined with many starting around the same time, but growing at differing rates. ”

Check out his work here:

Also check out John’s aggregation of SL support group statistics here.

The future of Health Care and Virtual World are unquestionably tied. Mass amounts of people are seeking and receiving support in a variety of virtual environments. It is going to be interesting to see how these environments develop and the professionalization of health offerings in virtual environments and the 3D web.

Virtual World News Writes: “Patients report feeling less pain, fMRI scans show a reduction in actual brain signals, and doctors anecdotally noted a wider range of movement from patients in physical therapy sessions.”

It is amazing. Watch the video here:

via: Virtual World News (thanks!)