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American Medicine Today spent the day at the University of South Florida’s VR4VR facility.

Using Virtual Reality and Robotics Technologies for Vocational Evaluation, Training and Placement (VR4VR) is a project that incorporates Virtual Reality into job training to increase job opportunities for people who have physical or mental disabilities. The investigators are using Virtual Reality and robotics for job evaluation, training and placement of people with disabilities. The investigators’ goal is to assess and train people in a safe, adaptable, and fun virtual environment similar to a video game.

This is an interventional study with three target populations: autism spectrum disorder, traumatic brain injury, and severe mobility and manipulation impairments. The prototype system allows for a wide range of environments with the vocational evaluator easily controlling the virtual experience, while the job seekers interact realistically.

Learn more about VR4VR, and how to become a part of its clinical trials, at this link: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02498262 

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The National Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Center, located in Palm Harbor, FL, uses pressurized, concentrated oxygen to treat children with autism, as well as people with severe brain injuries.

Dr. Allan Spiegel says hyperbaric oxygen therapy increases the amount of oxygen that saturates every part of the body, 8-10 times more than is currently present. That turns oxygen into a drug, which can do several things:
Causes new blood vessels to grow
Increases white cell function
Enhances immune system

Johnathan Pineda was diagnosed with autism at age two, and has been non-verbal or limited in speaking most of his life. He began hyperbaric therapy as a teenager, and after 20 treatments, his mother notices amazing results. Johnathan admits he is more social, and says he feels more comfortable talking with people.

Alexandra Thomas went in to cardiac arrest and wasn’t expected to survive. However, she pulled through but is undergoing intense physical and speech therapy. Hyperbaric treatment has been added as a part of her treatment plan. Her mother says that four treatments, Alex is able to carry on longer conversations than she has since she became sick.

Learn more about The National Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Center: http://www.florida-oxygen.com/