For three days a week, Wayne Garcia has been taking part in a nontraditional exercise.
He starts by putting on virtual reality (VR) equipment on his head. He then gets on a specially designed exercise bicycle and starts pushing its pedals. Faster and faster he goes.
Garcia is taking part in a study at the University of Southern Californias Keck School of Medicine. Researchers want to see if just a small amount of VR can help prevent memory loss as people age.
Garcia says he remembers how his parents and grandparents all suffered from dementia.
Its very scary that one day that could be me.
Garcia recalls his father once reading a newspaper upside down and almost setting the house on fire by putting a towel on a heater.
Just the sadness you remember what your dad was like, what your mom was like when they were all good, and then the decline now. And now youre taking care of them rather than when they used to take care of you.
Garcia is taking part in the study to see if using virtual reality at the same time as physical exercise can help prevent dementia in the future.
Judy Pa is part of the team of researchers leading the study. She says the actual definition of dementia is when a person is no longer able to take care of themselves, things like paying the bills, driving, cooking for themselves, dressing themselves.
She added that the break down and death of cells in the nervous system take 10 to 20 years.
Pa said that unlike usual games, VR provides a first-person, three-dimensional experience that is important to memory training.
Our goal is to prevent dementia (and) to prevent Alzheimers disease. There are no effective treatments yet. We hope that we will get there eventually, but my perspective and the research that we do in my laboratory at USC is really surrounding prevention.
The VR study exercises the subjects body and brain at the same time, testing the memory and decision-making part of their brain.
Subjects have to pedal on the exercise bike and keep their heart rate up. In the VR experience, they are trying to learn and remember directions while collecting food items, and then feeding the food to some animals.
Understanding changes in the brain that happen with exercise, changes in the brain that happen when youre in an enriched environment and putting those two together, and thats what our intervention is currently targeting.
Even if virtual reality can help, it may not be for everyone. In one study, four out of 40 people withdrew from the research because they reported motion sickness. Pa will be doing more tests over the next year with participants who are 50 to 80 years old to gather additional information.
Garcia is hopeful for what VR might mean for the future.
There might be a place where you could go, and you can get your daily dose of virtual reality and cardio to keep the mind going.
Im Jonathan Evans.
Elizabeth Lee reported this story for VOA News. Jonathan Evans adapted it for Learning English. George Grow was the editor.
________________________________________
bills n. documents that says how much money you owe for something you have bought or used
cardio n. any type of exercise that causes the heart to beat faster and harder for a period of time
dementia n. a mental illness that causes someone to be unable to think clearly or to understand what is real and what is not real
decline n. to become worse in condition or quality
dress v. to put clothes on yourself
perspective n. a way of thinking about and understanding something such as a particular issue or life in general
towel n. a piece of cloth used for drying things
virtual reality n. an artificial world of images and sounds created by a computer that is affected by the actions of a person who is experiencing it
See the original post here:
Scientists Study Whether Virtual Reality Can Prevent Memory Loss - Voice of America
- Virtual Reality - Virtual Reality - December 9th, 2016 [December 9th, 2016]
- VR, Virtual Reality | Virtalis - December 11th, 2016 [December 11th, 2016]
- Road to VR - Virtual Reality News - December 13th, 2016 [December 13th, 2016]
- VR Porn, Exclusive Virtual Reality Sex Videos. WankzVR - December 19th, 2016 [December 19th, 2016]
- Immersion (virtual reality) - Wikipedia - December 22nd, 2016 [December 22nd, 2016]
- Virtual Reality - Setting the Record Straight One Post at ... - December 22nd, 2016 [December 22nd, 2016]
- NBA broadcasts games in virtual reality with NextVR ... - December 28th, 2016 [December 28th, 2016]
- Virtual Reality | Future | Fandom powered by Wikia - December 28th, 2016 [December 28th, 2016]
- Virtual reality, one year out: What went right, what didn't ... - December 28th, 2016 [December 28th, 2016]
- Virtual Reality Toronto - VRTO - Virtual Reality, Toronto - January 9th, 2017 [January 9th, 2017]
- Virtual Reality - January 24th, 2017 [January 24th, 2017]
- Virtual reality headset - Wikipedia - January 27th, 2017 [January 27th, 2017]
- Tribemix Virtual Reality for Dementia Care - YouTube - January 27th, 2017 [January 27th, 2017]
- Virtual Reality Has Arrived in the Art World. Now What? - New York Times - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Virtual Reality Experience College Swim Meet - SwimSwam - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Explore The Amazon With This Stunning 360 Virtual Reality Video - IFLScience - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Adobe's Path To Entering The Virtual Reality Story - Forbes - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Europe's virtual reality sector has grown to nearly 300 companies - VentureBeat - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Virtual reality to recount Maori life - Otago Daily Times - February 8th, 2017 [February 8th, 2017]
- John Wall: 'I really thought I was gonna die' - ESPN.co.uk - February 8th, 2017 [February 8th, 2017]
- Travel Brands and Meeting Planners Are Using Virtual Reality to Drive Conversion - Skift - February 8th, 2017 [February 8th, 2017]
- Sportsnet to launch 360 Virtual Reality for six NHL games - Sportsnet.ca - February 8th, 2017 [February 8th, 2017]
- In the burgeoning world of virtual reality, storytelling is both cutting-edge and old-fashioned - Los Angeles Times - February 8th, 2017 [February 8th, 2017]
- What parents need to know about virtual reality - Deseret News - February 8th, 2017 [February 8th, 2017]
- 8 Real Success Tips From Women Building The Future With Virtual Reality - Forbes - February 8th, 2017 [February 8th, 2017]
- Virtual reality: prepare for the revolution - AndroidPIT - February 9th, 2017 [February 9th, 2017]
- Prospects Dimming For Facebook's Oculus Rift Virtual-Reality Headsets - Investor's Business Daily - February 9th, 2017 [February 9th, 2017]
- WATCH: YouTube Stars Create Amazing La La Land-Inspired Virtual-Reality Music Video - PEOPLE.com - February 9th, 2017 [February 9th, 2017]
- Virtual Reality addiction threat prompts cautious approach as VR nears 'smartphone-like' take-off - ABC Online - February 9th, 2017 [February 9th, 2017]
- Archaeology turns to virtual reality with Lithodomos start-up - The Sydney Morning Herald - February 9th, 2017 [February 9th, 2017]
- The Future Of Virtual Reality: Mobile VR Platforms In A Battle - Forbes - February 9th, 2017 [February 9th, 2017]
- Virtual reality is boring compared to Beyonc's actual reality - A.V. Club (blog) - February 9th, 2017 [February 9th, 2017]
- Google wants to use Chrome to suck you into virtual reality - CNET - February 9th, 2017 [February 9th, 2017]
- Ringling showcase offers glimpse of virtual reality in Sarasota - Sarasota Herald-Tribune - February 11th, 2017 [February 11th, 2017]
- Allegheny County teachers see how to open world to classrooms with virtual reality - Tribune-Review - February 11th, 2017 [February 11th, 2017]
- Virtual Reality Could Be Your Next Prescription - DesignNews - February 11th, 2017 [February 11th, 2017]
- DACC & Virgin Galactic team up to explore virtual reality - Las Cruces Sun-News - February 11th, 2017 [February 11th, 2017]
- Boulder International Film Festival diving into virtual reality with 2017 slate - Boulder Daily Camera - February 11th, 2017 [February 11th, 2017]
- 'JAEPO 2017' Shows That Japanese Arcade Gaming Is Beginning To Incorporate Virtual Reality - Forbes - February 11th, 2017 [February 11th, 2017]
- Wichita-created virtual reality could take jurors into crime scenes ... - Wichita Eagle - February 11th, 2017 [February 11th, 2017]
- Why this analyst is warning investors to steer clear of virtual reality in 2017 - L.A. Biz - February 12th, 2017 [February 12th, 2017]
- See the Newcastle virtual reality room helping children with autism overcome their phobias - ChronicleLive - February 12th, 2017 [February 12th, 2017]
- See This Famous Masterpiece Recreated in Virtual Reality - UploadVR - February 12th, 2017 [February 12th, 2017]
- Samsung Goes for a New Look in Virtual Reality at New York Fashion Week - Fortune - February 14th, 2017 [February 14th, 2017]
- Virtual reality has a growing impact on college football - FOXSports.com - February 14th, 2017 [February 14th, 2017]
- This company is opening a virtual reality multiplex this fall - Mashable - February 14th, 2017 [February 14th, 2017]
- Personalized virtual reality displays match eyesight | Stanford News - Stanford University News - February 14th, 2017 [February 14th, 2017]
- Virtual reality weather add-ons let you feel the sun and wind - New Scientist - February 14th, 2017 [February 14th, 2017]
- Virtual reality is still too isolating to be 'the next big thing' in tech - CBC.ca - February 14th, 2017 [February 14th, 2017]
- Miyamoto Still Has Doubts About Virtual Reality - GameSpot - February 14th, 2017 [February 14th, 2017]
- Virtual reality industry 'in need of a jump-start,' Imax CEO says at ... - Los Angeles Times - February 16th, 2017 [February 16th, 2017]
- Doctors use virtual reality to prepare children for scans - BBC News - February 16th, 2017 [February 16th, 2017]
- Gamers get a taste of virtual reality with new Missoula arcade - KTVH - February 16th, 2017 [February 16th, 2017]
- Revised orca shows, new virtual-reality swim with whales and new ... - Los Angeles Times - February 16th, 2017 [February 16th, 2017]
- Transcend VR Sues Virtual-Reality Investor Mike Rothenberg - Wall Street Journal (subscription) - February 16th, 2017 [February 16th, 2017]
- This Powerful Gaming Executive Isn't Worried If Virtual Reality Fails - Fortune - February 16th, 2017 [February 16th, 2017]
- Virtual reality helps visitors transport back in time to ancient Roman ... - CBS News - February 16th, 2017 [February 16th, 2017]
- Boise-area entrepreneurs see opportunity in virtual reality amid real-world perils - Idaho Statesman - February 17th, 2017 [February 17th, 2017]
- 3D printing, virtual reality used to bring dinosaur to 'life' - The Hindu - February 17th, 2017 [February 17th, 2017]
- Virtual reality startup Relax VR wants to relieve stress in corporate environments - ZDNet - February 17th, 2017 [February 17th, 2017]
- Escape with Virtual Reality, travelogue at Way - Sentinel-Tribune - February 18th, 2017 [February 18th, 2017]
- VR1: Idaho's first virtual reality arcade opens in Eagle - KBOI-TV - February 18th, 2017 [February 18th, 2017]
- NBA launches virtual reality app with Google Daydream - USA TODAY - February 18th, 2017 [February 18th, 2017]
- Virtual Reality Is Bringing These Lost Worlds Back to Life - NBCNews.com - February 18th, 2017 [February 18th, 2017]
- Now You Can Feel Wind and Temperature While in Virtual Reality - Futurism - February 18th, 2017 [February 18th, 2017]
- IMAX's first virtual reality arcade is here and it is beautiful - The Verge - The Verge - February 18th, 2017 [February 18th, 2017]
- VR Sales Numbers Are Wet Blanket on Adoption Hopes - Fortune - February 20th, 2017 [February 20th, 2017]
- Virtual Reality to Make MRIs Less Scary - Financial Tribune - February 20th, 2017 [February 20th, 2017]
- How Valve is Taking a Nintendo-like Approach to Virtual Reality - UploadVR - February 20th, 2017 [February 20th, 2017]
- Inside an IMAX virtual reality arcade - VentureBeat - February 20th, 2017 [February 20th, 2017]
- With New Invention, Virtual Reality's Potential for Magic Gets Real - New York Times - February 20th, 2017 [February 20th, 2017]
- What Ubisoft learned from its first virtual reality games - VentureBeat - February 20th, 2017 [February 20th, 2017]
- Virtual Reality Was a Flop in 2016. Will 2017 Be the Year It Takes Off? - Motley Fool - February 20th, 2017 [February 20th, 2017]
- Virtual reality to take a decade as users chicken out, study shows - The Australian Financial Review - February 20th, 2017 [February 20th, 2017]
- Virtual reality is making surgery simpler - Deniz Ergurel (subscription) (blog) - February 20th, 2017 [February 20th, 2017]
- Virtual reality has potential to add new dimensions to marketing - Business Day (registration) - February 21st, 2017 [February 21st, 2017]
- Virtual reality will take 'maybe a decade' to become mainstream - Mashable - February 21st, 2017 [February 21st, 2017]
- #MadeInRVAJr: Hanover siblings want to bring virtual reality to your event - WRIC - February 22nd, 2017 [February 22nd, 2017]
- Making Virtual Reality More Accessible - VideoInk - February 22nd, 2017 [February 22nd, 2017]
- New virtual reality lounge opening in the Capital Region - NEWS10 ABC - February 22nd, 2017 [February 22nd, 2017]