Monthly Archives: August 2021

Otter.ai can transcribe Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, and Cisco Webex meetings if youre not there – The Verge

Posted: August 28, 2021 at 11:51 am

Otter.ai is one of our favorite transcription tools thanks to the accuracy of its machine learning-generated notes. If youre a paying user, you can also use its Otter Assistant feature to plug into your calendar and automatically join and transcribe meetings even if youre not there. Previously, Otter Assistant only worked with Zoom meetings, but today the company is expanding it to integrate with Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, and Cisco Webex meetings.

Its a handy feature, depending on the platform (or platforms) on which you tend to have meetings. Zoom already offers third-party transcription features, for example, while Teams has its own built-in free transcription tool. If youre already using one of these services, then the expansion of Otter Assistant wont mean much.

However, if youre having meetings across lots of platforms and are already signed up to Otter.ai, then the Assistant tool is a handy way to keep all your notes in one place. Like Microsoft Teams transcription tool, the notes it generates are also available to view live, letting you search the transcription even while the meeting is still in progress. It does cost, though, and requires an Otter Business plan. That costs $20 a month and gets you access to a bunch of other features including custom vocabulary, audio imports, and the like.

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Google meaningfully talks about new YouTube Music features for the first time in 2021 – 9to5Google

Posted: at 11:51 am

In recent months, YouTube Music has seen a slew of tweaks that refine the app but dont fundamentally change the experience. Thats par for the course at Google, but whats been incredibly odd is how the YouTube Music team has not meaningfully talked about any of these new features until last week.

YouTube Musics last major feature launch that warranted a blog post from the company was the addition of the Home feed activity bar and availability of personalized My Mixes in November. The last time YouTube actually talked about its Music streaming service was in mid-February when previewing upcoming features for the main video, TV, and Kids apps, as well as creators.

At that, the YouTube Music bullet point was mostly just a regurgitation of the November personalized mixes news while hinting at making user-created playlists more discoverable to others on the platform. That functionality eventually rolled out in April by having search distinguish between Featured and Community playlists.

That launch along with a slew of other enhancements to search, outline-style icons, and usability was never detailed in a public manner until last week. (The only exception is YouTube Music for Wear OS, though it was never really detailed in-depth before release.)

Last week, Google announced it was launching a bi-monthly roundup of product improvements on the YouTube Music Help Community.

Every other month, youll hear new updates directly from us with the hope that these posts keep you better informed about all the things were working on at YouTube Music.

The inaugural one for August 2021 covers May, June, and July, with the company seeking your thoughts on these launches and improvements as well.

Know that different members of the music team will keep checking these posts to see what YouTube Music listeners think of their launches, and may prioritize future changes based on your feedback!

Highlights are below, and this is a positive development from the YouTube Music team. The steady tweaks in recent months have indicated to users that the streaming service is still being developed with a focus on usability enhancements though some argue that there are no big features. While most are not expecting some radical update, the lack of communication threw into question Googles commitment.

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Google ties up with fintech to let its users open FDs on GPay – Mint

Posted: at 11:51 am

Google has teamed up with Setu, a fintech specialising in providing application programming interfaces (APIs), to allow its users to book fixed deposits (FDs) through Google Pay, a person with knowledge of the matter said on the condition of anonymity.

In the initial roll-out, FDs of Equitas Small Finance Bank will be offered for up to one year. The maximum interest rate is 6.35%. Users will have to complete an Aadhaar-based KYC (know your customer) through a one-time password (OTP).

Setu has already created a beta version for the API, which Mint has reviewed. A second person with knowledge of the matter confirmed the development.

The beauty of the system is that you can book an Equitas FD on Google Pay even if you do not have a savings account in Equitas Small Finance Bank. The money will flow out of your existing account and back into your existing savings account. Other banks, including Ujjivan Small Finance Bank and AU Small Finance Bank, are also in the pipeline. If successful, the system will also be extended to other payment apps," said the second person. While attention is usually focused on mutual funds and stocks, FDs are the largest component of savings in India. They are largely overlooked," he said.

The beta version of the API offers FDs of various tenors including 7-29 days, 30-45 days, 46-90 days, 91-180 days, 181-364 days, and 365 days, with interest rates ranging from 3.5% for the shortest FD to 6.35% for the one-year FD. According to media reports, Google Pay has 150 million monthly active users in India.

Small finance banks have aggressively teamed up with fintechs to offer high-interest savings accounts and fixed deposits. Equitas Small Finance Bank has partnered with fintechs such as NiYO and Freo (Moneytap) to offer its savings accounts with interest rates of 7% for balances more than 1 lakh. Under Reserve Bank of India rules, small finance banks have to lend at least 75% of their adjusted net bank credit to priority sectors compared with 40% for scheduled commercial banks. At least 50% of their portfolios must consist of loans up to 25 lakh.

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Heres What Dave Ramsey Says About Crypto Investing – Motley Fool

Posted: at 11:50 am

Dave Ramsey is a faith-based financial expert and multi-media personality who started his career in real estate. By his mid-20s, Ramsey had accumulated a real estate portfolio worth $4 million. However, a change in banking laws required several outstanding loans to be called. He was unable to pay, and Ramsey, in a reversal of fortune, subsequently filed for bankruptcy.

Since then, he developed a debt-reduction system based on common sense and sound financial principles that he followed to regain his own fiscal footing. His debt-freedom and slow-growth approach to financial security are the core elements of his multimedia empire.

Ramsey's website claims that 23 million people follow his daily radio show, podcasts, and weekly videos. His team has also published 19 national bestselling books. Most importantly to him, Ramsey states that 6 million families have fixed their financial foibles with his wealth-building plan. His message is one of discipline and hope for individuals, families, and small businesses.

While he promotes a positive posture regarding money management and fiscal freedom, Ramsey is an outspoken critic of cryptocurrencies as an asset class. Is he right? Let's take a look.

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During an April 2021 segment from his radio program, Ramsey said Bitcoin and Dogecoin are "stupid investments" and compared cryptocurrencies to cocaine and gambling. And in a separate radio excerpt from May 2021, he likened Bitcoin to the Lotto, calling both "a dumb idea" and said that he doesnt encourage anyone to invest in "highly volatile, unpredictable investments."

Hyperbole aside, Ramsey encourages a "boring, methodical approach" when building wealth. He bases that on results from his survey of 10,000 millionaires. Ramsey believes that "get rich quick" schemes most often result in "going broke fast" realities. His personal net worth is approximately $200 million, so hes doing something right.

However, there are some fundamental claims about cryptocurrencies on his website that are not accurate. Specifically, the following four points are misrepresentations of the cryptocurrency asset class:

Each of Ramsey's claims needs to be addressed using the cryptocurrency with the longest track record -- Bitcoin. Bitcoin is a useful surrogate for the entire industry because cryptocurrencies came into being back in 2009 after the Bitcoin white paper was published, introducing the idea of Bitcoin and its use in the real world.

Bitcoin is volatile but its not "unstable" the way mainstream media tends to portray it. Ramsey reinforces that negative narrative when he continues to compare Bitcoin to gambling, betting on football, and the lottery.

While cryptocurrency can be characterized as a speculative asset class, its not Three-Card Monte. In fact, a new study by Fidelity found that seven out of 10 institutional investors plan to buy crypto within the next five years. This validates cryptocurrency as a viable investment. You dont see the "smart money" chasing Powerball.

Every aspect of life -- including investing of any kind -- has "unknown" elements, so Ramseys not completely wrong here. However, his website goes over the top regarding this second claim when it states, "Only a small percentage of people in the world really understand the system and know how to operate it. Ignorance makes you vulnerable." This seems a bit hyperbolic, fear inducing, and unnecessary. Just because something is complex doesnt mean its not worth trying to learn about.There are many valuable and informative resources about crypto available to help you do your research and make your own investment decisions.

Cryptocurrency fraud is nowhere to be found on the FBIs list of the top-30 types of most common scams.This is a tired media trope thats frequently cited to spur fear, uncertainty, and doubt -- a crypto phrase commonly referred to as "FUD."

In actuality, cryptocurrency transactions occur on an open digital ledger that anyone can see and track by IP address. Law enforcement officials can visit websites that post all blockchain transactions in the past and present. They can see where funds move and the countries where individuals -- most notably criminals -- make the deposits. Because of this, portions of those funds are often recovered or frozen. Anybody with an internet connection can view these blockchain transactions by Googling "Bitcoin blockchain," which makes it tough to hide crypto funds. Blockchains are great for moving crypto funds, but those movements are not hidden or completely autonomous.

Bottom line, cryptocurrencies dont make fraud easier.

Bitcoin has a 12-year track record of return on investment (ROI) performance. Over the past 10 years, the constant annual growth rate (CAGR) for Bitcoin has exceeded 130% -- thats 6 times more than the next-closest asset class. Heres the comparison with other investments, courtesy of casebitcoin.com:

Despite my disagreement with Ramseys claims against cryptocurrencies, I agree that no one should invest more than 5% to 10% of their net worth into any type of speculative asset. Prospective investors must also do their own research before doling out a dime.

Having said that, the underlying fundamentals supporting Bitcoin as a long-term store of value have never been stronger. Thats because central banks are authorizing the creation of more "real" money than ever before to supposedly stimulate growth. Treasury departments are printing trillions of new dollars, and legislatures are spending it.

This artificial currency cascade is flooding markets and floating inflation higher. The U.S. Labor Department reported a 5.4% inflation increase in June, and that was on top of a 5% increase in May. Neither of those numbers include double-digit percentage increases in the price of gasoline, used cars, or existing home values since the start of the year.

Not only does inflation drive up the cost of goods we buy every day, it erodes the value of what youre trying to save for a rainy day. Due to Bitcoins fixed amount of coins capped at 21 million, it is a truly scarce resource thats arguably a better inflationary hedge than gold.

While Ramsey may believe investing in Bitcoin is a gamble, its a much riskier bet to dismiss cryptocurrencies outright as a viable investment option and store of value for a small part of your portfolio.

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Why agrarian reforms should go beyond meeting demands of the agitating farmers – The Indian Express

Posted: at 11:50 am

The farmers agitation in India has attracted worldwide attention and support. This is as it should be. Farmers are our annadata. During the Covid-19 pandemic, while all the sectors were thrown into a tailspin, the farm sector has sustained us.

The post-Independence history of Indian agriculture has few parallels, due to the unique success of the Green Revolution. Within 12-15 years, the country achieved food self-sufficiency. Ending food imports helped us save vast fiscal resources which could be used for development and welfare. Unprecedented rural prosperity ensued.

However, national-level food self-sufficiency did not result in household-level food security. Poverty co-existed with prosperity due to inequitable resource distribution and concentration of land. Its alleviation and eradication necessitated welfare intervention through the Food Security Act, MGNREGA, etc. The absence of effective and equitable land reforms, thus, accounts for the persistence of poverty.

The story of land reforms in India is a dismal one. Being a state subject, various states implemented reforms with varying degrees of effectiveness and equity. But everywhere, the objectives were the same: Abolition of feudal landlordism, conferment of ownership on tenants, fixing land ceilings, distribution of surplus land, increasing agricultural productivity and production, etc.

Many of the objectives were achieved, many were not. Feudal land relations were abolished; tenants got ownership rights. However, owing to manipulations in land records, much surplus land was not available for distribution among the landless tillers of the soil, the majority of whom were the former untouchables and todays Dalits. Less than one per cent of the total land in the country was declared as surplus. The programme was implemented in a country where non-agricultural sectors and activities were fast developing, absorbing increasing numbers of the rural population. The relevant criteria for land entitlement should have been employment and main source of income.

The ex-tenants, after getting land, became tenant-turned-capitalist-farmers who effectively made use of several programmes Green Revolution technology, bank nationalisation and priority sector lending, urbanisation and expanding urban markets. They dominated the small and marginal farmers, and landless farm labourers. In the 1970s and 1980s, there was an interlocking of land, labour, credit and product markets. Those who controlled land, controlled water, which later promoted water trade, including drinking water trade. They cornered a disproportionate share of various subsidies. Many members of rich farm households moved into industry, business and professions. Many migrated abroad for quality higher education and employment. Others returned to India and occupied important positions.

The tenant-turned-capitalist farmers formed political parties, which produced strong state-level leaders, who controlled state-level planning, fiscal policies and politics. In place of a strong Centre and weak states, came a weak Centre and strong states. Now, dismissing a state government under Article 356 is not easy. Regional satraps are democratically elected authoritarians with the power to block pro-poor changes. Bureaucracy and police have unprecedented powers. Individual freedom is often curtailed by rulers at the Centre and states.

Rich farmers have formed strong power blocs, with unquestioned clout and bargaining power, not only in north-western India but also in states like Maharashtra. Agriculturally rich states still attract large numbers of migrant workers; in some, the bonded labour system persists (with bonded labourers invariably being Dalits and Adivasis) to circumvent peak season labour shortage. The migrant workers were the worst hit by the pandemic. Atrocities against Dalits are rising practically in every state. Caste discrimination and prejudices persist.

Social restructuring needs agrarian reform, in the form of a land reforms programme, in addition to the measures that farmers are agitating for. Farmers are seeking legal safeguards against market fluctuations, especially against any downward pressure on agricultural prices. They are not anti-market. While they welcome every rise in prices, they demand legal protection against price falls, a legitimate stance.

Even as agricultural prosperity must be promoted,it should not be just shared between farmers (especially rich ones) and urban consumers, but by all. Farm workers, in particular, must benefit from it.

The relation between land and caste, between caste and labour has not been broken yet. Consider the social composition of agricultural labourers, scavengers, rag-pickers et al. Indisputably, agricultural wage rates have risen progressively. But farm workers deserve more than a rising wage rate. They deserve access to resources.

This calls for a programme of radical land reforms. Agricultural land should be pooled and equally distributed among farm households, based on the two afore-mentioned criteria. Non-farm households should not be permitted to hold farmland. The land reforms programme should not be left to the states, as it is likely to be sabotaged by regional satraps. Land reforms should be a central subject; while agriculture can remain a state subject. Such a programme will empower and enrich marginalised and excluded individuals and social groups. It should be the kernel of a justiciable universal property right that must form an integral/inalienable part of Article 21 (Right to Life) of the Constitution. The right to life is hollow without a right to livelihood. Through an effective land reforms programme, lets build a prosperous India based on equity and justice.

This column first appeared in the print edition on August 28, 2021 under the title The land question, and answer. The writer retired as professor at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Tuljapur campus.

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Battle zombies and killer robots in new virtual reality business coming soon to Paramus – NorthJersey.com

Posted: at 11:49 am

Paramus malls through the years | Video

Paramus' malls have been around a long time, but they've changed a lot since they've opened. Here's a look back.

Jessica Presinzano, NorthJersey.com

PARAMUS Avirtual reality business set to open in the borough will letplayersfight zombies and killer robots in a new full-body VR experience.

Sandbox VR is planning to opena Paramus location,which would be the first in the state,this October. Paramus franchise owner Jeremy Berman plans future locations in Short Hills and Edison. The virtual reality business has 13 locations in all, including in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Vancouver and Hong Kong.

The company gained Planning Board approval at the beginning of August to bring Sandbox VR to the second floor of the Paramus Crossroads at 305 Route 17 south. The business will be between the PGA Superstore and the PC Richard appliance store.

Paramus is the heart of Bergen County and the center of a vibrant business and residential district, said Bermanin a statement. It is a compelling location for an experiential entertainment business that attracts a diverse customer base of young professionals, companies looking for team building events and corporate outings, and will also be loved by teens looking for something fun to do and families seeking a night of fun.

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The venue will have four virtual reality rooms for gameplay and an additional party room for private events, such as birthdays and corporate events.

When people participate in a game, they will put on a VR headset, a haptic vest,a backpack and motion sensors on their wrists and ankles.Participants will be able to seefriends and family members who are with them through the VR goggleswhile they free-roam around in the room to complete the video game's mission, which could be anything from clearing out a zombie-filled mansion to participating in a space mission in the Star Trek universe.

Memory lane: Once mainstays, these restaurants in the Paramus area are now only memories

The sessions would run for about an hour and 30 minutes, with some training and setup beforehand, about 30 minutes of the virtual reality gameplayand ending with a review of game highlights.

Sandbox VR isn't the first attempt to bring virtual reality to Paramus. Asimilar business called TheVoid was supposed to open atWestfield Garden State Plaza last year, just beforethe COVID-19 pandemic began. The company defaulted on a key loan that forcedit to permanently transfer its assets,patents and trademarksto its creditor at the end of last year, according to Protocol, a business news site. The company's owner blamed the pandemic and the shutdown of malls.

Stephanie Nodais a local reporter for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community,please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email:noda@northjersey.com

Twitter:@snoda11

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Seeing things virtually – The Hindu

Posted: at 11:49 am

In India, design education has kept its distance from using and applying technology. However, with the pandemic forcing education institutions to move online, they have had to create an environment that fosters its growth. This is where Virtual Reality comes into play. It offers a a robust, future-ready plug in for design education and enables a skill-intensive curriculum.

Design education has followed a learning system that is backed by physical modelling, in-person design discussions and presentations sheets mounted onto walls. Students are often taken to real sites to absorb and learn from their surroundings to reinforce classroom learning. Due to the current pandemic, all these elements have been replaced with virtual communication platforms that offer very little more than disrupted and tedious design discussions.

Bridge a gap

Immersive technology offers great potential to bridge this gap. Immersive technology enhances design understanding by allowing students to experience their creations virtually. By allowing for real-time and true-to-scale modifications and iterations, immersive technology also offers relief from tedious design processes.

This allows students to explore the realm of design freely. Various collaborative solutions also allow students to be guided by faculty through these explorations or even collaborate among themselves for group assignments.

Technological tools have become a dominant part of design due to their enhanced efficiency and ease they of use.

However, design education trains students to be profound thinkers but without the knowledge of using technology. As a result, they are often unable to put across their ideas effectively. The adoption of technologies like Virtual Reality into the curriculum is a step creates a better understanding of immersive technology and encourages students to analyse its significance in professional practice. Given the lack of access to construction sites or practising experts, the use of tools like digital twins will help students understand trends in the industry.

Obsolete systems and curriculums have led to loss of relevance, low employability and an under-skilled workforce. The use of immersive and collaborative technology in the classroom will not only help redefine both the pedagogy and the teaching methodology but also help in making the students digitally skilled and ready to revolutionise the industry.

The writer is co-creator, Trezi

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Augmented Reality (AR) And Virtual Reality (VR) Market to grow by USD 162.71 billion, Alphabet Inc.& Facebook Inc. emerges as Key Contributors to…

Posted: at 11:49 am

NEW YORK, Aug. 24, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the latest market research report titled augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) market by Technology (AR and VR) and Geography (North America, APAC, Europe, MEA, and South America) from Technavio, the market is expected to expand at a healthy CAGR of 46%.

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality Market by Technology and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2021-2025

Technavio's custom research offerings with crucial business data insights including country-level impact, upcoming vaccines, and pipeline analysis

Impact of COVID-19The industry is expected to have a mixed impact due to the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The market will have a direct impact due to the spread. In the short term, the market demand will show at par growth due to the increase in infections and reduced economic activity.

Download a free sample report in minutes

Frequently Asked Questions:

Based on segmentation by Technology, which is the leading segment in the market?The augmented reality and virtual reality market share growth by the AR segment will be significant during the forecast period.

At what rate is the market projected to grow?The augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) market has the potential to grow by USD 162.71 billion during 2021-2025.

Who are the top players in the market?Alphabet Inc., Facebook Inc., HP Inc., HTC Corp., Magic Leap Inc., Microsoft Corp., Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., Snap Inc., Sony Corp., and Toshiba Corp. are some of the major market participants.

What are the key market drivers and challenges?The increasing demand for AR and VR technology is notably driving the augmented reality and virtual reality market growth, although factors such as high development costs associated with AR and VR apps may impede the market growth.

How big is the APAC market?34% of the market's growth will originate from APAC during the forecast period.

Related Reports on Information Technology Include:

eDiscovery Software Market Report -The eDiscovery software market has the potential to grow by USD 2.70 billion during 2021-2025, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 12.71%. Download a free sample report now!

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Buy 1 Technavio report and get the second for 50% off. Buy 2 Technavio reports and get the third for free.

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The market is fragmented, and the degree of fragmentation will accelerate during the forecast period. Although the increasing demand for product launches, and M&A activities will offer immense growth opportunities, risks associated with AR and VR applications and limitations of AR and VR technology are likely to pose a challenge for the market vendors. In a bid to help players strengthen their market foothold, this augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) market forecast report provides a detailed analysis of the leading market vendors. The report also empowers industry honchos with information on the competitive landscape and insights into the different product offerings offered by various companies.

Technavio's custom research reports offer detailed insights on the impact of COVID-19 at an industry level, a regional level, and subsequent supply chain operations. This customized report will also help clients keep up with new product launches in direct & indirect COVID-19 related markets, upcoming vaccines and pipeline analysis, and significant developments in vendor operations and government regulations.

Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) Market 2021-2025: Segmentation

Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) Market is segmented as below:

Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) Market 2021-2025: Scope

Technavio presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources. The augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) market report cover the following areas:

Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) Market Size

Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) Market Trends

Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) Market Industry Analysis

This study identifies the Increasing number of M&A activities as one of the prime reasons driving the Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) Market growth during the next few years.

Technavio suggests three forecast scenarios (optimistic, probable, and pessimistic) considering the impact of COVID-19. Technavio's in-depth research has direct and indirect COVID-19 impacted market research reports.

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Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) Market 2021-2025: Key Highlights

CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2021-2025

Detailed information on factors that will assist augmented reality (ar) and virtual reality (VR) market growth during the next five years

Estimation of the augmented reality (ar) and virtual reality (VR) market size and its contribution to the parent market

Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

The growth of the augmented reality (ar) and virtual reality (VR) market across North America, APAC, Europe, MEA, and South America

Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors

Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of augmented reality (ar) and virtual reality (VR) market, vendors

Table of Contents:

Executive Summary

Market Landscape

Market ecosystem

Value chain analysis

Market Sizing

Five Forces Analysis

Market Segmentation by Technology

Market segments

Comparison by Technology

AR - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

VR - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Market opportunity by Technology

Customer landscape

Geographic Landscape

Geographic segmentation

Geographic comparison

North America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

APAC - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Europe - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

MEA - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

South America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Key leading countries

Market opportunity by geography

Market drivers

Market challenges

Market trends

Vendor Landscape

Overview

Landscape disruption

Vendor Analysis

Appendix

About UsTechnavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

ContactTechnavio ResearchJesse MaidaMedia & Marketing ExecutiveUS: +1 844 364 1100UK: +44 203 893 3200Email: media@technavio.comWebsite: http://www.technavio.com/

Technavio (PRNewsfoto/Technavio)

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Augmented Reality (AR) And Virtual Reality (VR) Market to grow by USD 162.71 billion, Alphabet Inc.& Facebook Inc. emerges as Key Contributors to...

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Virtual reality can help reduce fear & anxiety in kids underdoing painful procedures: Study – Times Now

Posted: at 11:49 am

VR works so well that Children's Hospital Los Angeles now offers it routinely for blood draws | Photo credit: Pixabay 

Washington: A new study has shown that engaging in virtual reality can significantly reduce pain and anxiety in children undergoing intravenous catheter placement.

The findings of the study were published in the journal 'JAMA Network Open'.

It isn't a matter of one needle puncture. Many children coming through the doors of Children's Hospital Los Angeles are seen for chronic conditions and often require frequent visits.

Painful procedures -- like a blood draw or catheter placement -- can cause anxiety and fear in patients. The study has shown that virtual reality can decrease pain and anxiety in children undergoing intravenous (IV) catheter placement.

For nearly two decades, Jeffrey I. Gold, PhD, an investigator at The Saban Research Institute of Children's Hospital Los Angeles, has been investigating the use of virtual reality (VR) as a technique to help children undergoing painful medical procedures.

His research has shown that technology can have powerful effects. VR works so well that Children's Hospital Los Angeles now offers it routinely for blood draws.

"Some patients don't even realize that their blood is being drawn," said Dr Gold, who is also a Professor of Clinical Anesthesiology, Pediatrics, and Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at The Keck School of Medicine of USC.

"Compare that to a child who is panicking and screaming, and it's a no-brainer. We want kids to feel safe," added Dr Gold.

In his recent publication, Dr Gold's team reports the results of a study to test whether VR could prevent pain and distress for patients undergoing peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) placement.

The game is simple but requires focus and participation. Patients in one group used VR throughout the procedure, while those in another group received standard of care, which includes simple distraction techniques and the use of numbing cream.

The patients who used VR reported significantly lower levels of pain and anxiety.

"We can actually reduce pain without the use of a medication," said Dr Gold.

"The mind is incredibly powerful at shifting focus and actually preventing pain from being registered. If we can tap into that, we can make the experience much better for our kids," added Dr Gold.

But the story is bigger than that.

This is one of the first studies to analyse the effects of VR not only from the patient perspective but also from that of the clinician and the patient's family or caregivers.

All three of these groups reported a more positive experience with the use of VR. Dr Gold calls this triangulation of data -- gathering information from three perspectives in order to improve the patient experience.

"We started this as a way to mitigate pain and overall distress in children. But caregivers and healthcare providers are also reporting improved outcomes. Effectively treating the patient clearly has a ripple effect," added Dr Gold,

Consider a typical scenario in which a child has a chronic illness and must routinely receive PIVC placement.

A patient experiencing anxiety about her procedure may tense up, making it more difficult for the clinician to find a vein and insert the catheter.

If multiple attempts are necessary, a child's fear may amplify, causing a snowball effect, which in turn may impact medical adherence and ultimately long-term health outcomes.

If, on the other hand, the patient plays a virtual game while undergoing the procedure, she may relax and experience less pain, improving the overall experience for the child, the family, and the healthcare provider.

"Stress actually causes veins to constrict, but you don't need to know the physiology to know that it's better to have a relaxed kid," said Dr Gold.

The ripple effect goes further. A child's experience during a visit sets the tone for future visits.

If the experience feels traumatic, the child and family may be less likely to adhere to scheduled visits or may feel more stressed coming back to the hospital.

"We don't want a child's healthcare experience to be another adverse childhood experience," said Gold.

Adverse childhood experiences, also called ACEs, can lead to poor health outcomes.

"We care about the healthcare experience that children have," said Dr Gold.

"By reducing the fear associated with routine procedures, we prepare the child to begin treatment with a more positive outlook, and this can affect their health for a lifetime," added Dr Gold.

Additional authors on the publication include Michelle SooHoo, PhD, and Andrea M. Laikin, PhD; Arianna S. Lane, BA; Margaret J. Klein, MS, of The Saban Research Institute of Children's Hospital Los Angeles.

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Virtual reality can help reduce fear & anxiety in kids underdoing painful procedures: Study - Times Now

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Q+A: The Sights and Smells of Creative Arts Therapies in Virtual Reality – Drexel News Blog

Posted: at 11:49 am

3-D art created by a study participant. Image credit: Arun Ramakrishnan

In early 2019, Drexel Universitys College of Nursing and Health Professions and Johns Hopkins Universitys International Arts + Mind Lab (IAM Lab) formed a collaboration to examine how art therapy can be integrated into virtual reality-based expression to enhance patient care.

Some of the latest research conducted through this collaboration focused on the benefits of virtual reality (VR) on creative expression, with the inclusion of a fragrance stimulus. Led by Girija Kaimal, EdD, an associate professor in the College, and Susan Magsamen, executive director at IAM Lab, part of the Pedersen Brain Science Institute at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, the pilot study was published in late 2020 in Frontiers of Psychology.

Overall, the study showed participants responded positively to using VR for creative expressions through art making and the inclusion of the fragrance reduced negative affectsuch as feeling upset, hostile or distressed.

The researchers spoke with Drexel News Blog about the study and whats to come with VR in creative arts therapies.

Girija Kaimal (GK): The immersive environment offers a new way to being in space and allows for self-expression in three dimensions quite unlike anything in the real world. VR, although physically intangible, allows us to engage our senses in new ways, including our sense of being in space.

GK: People created things from memory, scenes of nature, as well as images that depicted aspects of their life. Interestingly, and perhaps because of the context of VR and the unique expressive tool options, there were also a lot of fantasy and playful images that we havent typically seen when participants use physical and fine arts media.

GK: The fragrance was selected to offset the fact the VR typically transports us out of the physical environment into a new visual space. The fragrance was meant to be calming, help orient and support the novel experience of being in a virtual environment.

GK: We were surprised at how invigorating the VR environment could be in terms of enhancing a range of mood states and self-perceptions of well-being and creativity. Fragrance which was a subtle diffused presence in the room seemed to help reduce negative affect (namely reduce negative mood).

Susan Magsamen (SM): What really shocked me was that the simple act of adding scent to VR did seem to impact participants art-making experience, by reducing negative emotions and improving self-confidence.

From a neurobiological perspective, we know quite a bit about the olfactory system and scents ability to evoke memories and reduce stress. But we dont have as much insight into how scent might enhance creativity.

But it makes sense that we should pursue these questions in the virtual realm. When you are designing a space in the physical world, like a restaurant or public park, you consider activation of all the senses, from the sights and sounds to the scents and textures. So, in bridging to a virtual world, we must consider all the senses at our disposal and how they might augment a VR experience targeting different therapeutic outcomes.

GK: I think it highlights the powerful role of creative self-expression, including in VR. VR studies typically have involved receptive experiences or doing activities. I am not aware of many studies that have examined the outcomes of engaging in creative expression in VR and it offers tremendous possibility for a range of populations, including those who might be intimidated or unable to use traditional art media. In addition, the positive impact of fragrance highlights the potential of the sensory system that can be harnessed further in therapeutic practices.

SM: This study demonstrates the opportunityand many questionsabout how we best adapt to virtual environments that support health and wellbeing. We launched this research well before the pandemic, but the need for digital therapeutic tools to get people access to help has exploded since then.

VR offers us new places to explore a full range of human emotionswithout ever leaving home, work, the hospital, school or any other location. This, in itself, democratizes access.

So in the near term, we need to expand sample sizes and replicate what weve observed in this pilot study. But I also hope this study catalyzes further exploration of virtual reality in service of health, wellbeing and learning. The future of research in this area is wide open and exciting.

We know VR simulates the real world, but it also has other attributes that are not fully understood. Our lab is beginning to think about how this intentional space can be better understood and used to support a range of health issues, including stress, anxiety, trauma, burnout and even depression. We are also interested in the role of VR to unleash creativity.

GK: We are excited to share this study that highlights the value of multi-institutional and multi-disciplinary collaborations and in particular the importance of self-expression (with new digital tools like in VR) for health and well-being.

Media interested in speaking with Kaimal should contact Annie Korp, news manager, at 215-571-4244 or amk522@drexel.edu.

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