Research question: XXXX
Institute: University Medical Centre Groningen (UMCG)
Researchers: Dr. Wim Veling
Start of the research: 2015
Current status: Publication pending
In 2018, patients from the psychiatric ward of the UMCG participated in a pilot study. Their feedback was that Virtual Reality is a suitable method to help relaxation. They would welcome more content, so patients can decide for themselves which environment they want to escape to. Interactivity was also highly noted. March 2018 saw the start of new research. Psychiatric patients will start watching the Wild Dolphin VR content from the comfort of their own home for ten consecutive days. They could swim with the dolphins as often as they desired. Next to the relaxing content, they will receive ten days of basic relaxation exercises. This way, we can compare the effect of both methods. In 2019, we want to expand the study to different focus groups.
Swimming with wild dolphins in Virtual Reality as a therapy for patients suffering from, for example, autism or depression. The idea comes from the artist Marijke Sjollema, from Leeuwarden in the Netherlands. She set off to film wild dolphins in Egypt in 2015. The University Medical Centre Groningen (UMCG) embraced the project immediately. The hospital starts with a study of the effects of this new drug free medicine.
The hospital UMCG in Groningen shows interest in the Virtual Reality project of the Dolphin Swim Club. They have developed a programme that makes it possible to actually swim with dolphins. The art project also has a scientific impact. Swimming with dolphins is sometimes used as a form of therapy, especially for autism and depression. The content of the Dolphin Swim Club is filmed so realistically, patients feel as if they truly swim with the dolphins and that should have a positive effect on the treatment. The UMGC will investigate the results of the programme over the next two years.
Swimming with wild dolphins. This activity tops the bucket list of many people. The Dolphin Swim Club developed Virtual Reality goggles to make this possible from the comfort of your own home. The project helps fund scientific research into Virtual Reality applications in healthcare.