Improving Mental Health for Veterans: The Role of Virtual Reality and A.I. Technology

Veterans in the region recently participated in electronic surveys as part of the Veterans’ Suicide Prevention Project. Over 100 military veterans completed the surveys during a two-day event hosted by Arkansas State University’s Masters of Athletic Training Program.

Dr. Scott Bruce, the Director of Research for the project, emphasized the importance of identifying predictors of mental health and suicide ideation in military veterans. According to Bruce, 22 veterans commit suicide every day in the United States, highlighting the urgent need to address mental health challenges within the veteran community.

In an effort to collect valuable data, Dr. Bruce and his team utilized advanced virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (A.I.) technology to assess whether the participants had previously experienced head injuries. By observing the individuals’ ability to receive and respond to cues within the VR environment, the researchers could determine if a person had suffered a concussion, as their reaction times would be slower.

First- and second-year students, Jasmine Espinoza and Emily Clark, who are part of the program, explained the intricacies of the VR survey. According to Espinoza, the VR technology is highly sensitive, requiring test subjects to concentrate intensely for the A.I. to accurately perform its function. Despite the challenging nature of the tests, veterans were compensated for their participation, receiving £25 for completing the electronic surveys and an additional £25 for undergoing biomarker tests.

Notably, the confidentiality and ethical considerations of the project were underscored, with assurances that the gathered data would not be shared with external organizations or government entities. The data will only be accessible to the Research Team and the Institutional Review Board, and will be reported in an aggregated manner to protect the privacy of individual participants.

In conclusion, the use of VR and A.I. technology to assess the impact of previous head injuries on veterans is a significant step towards understanding the mental health challenges faced by military personnel. Through ongoing research efforts, there is hope for developing targeted interventions to mitigate the high rate of suicide among veterans. The dedication of the team at Arkansas State University’s Masters of Athletic Training Program in addressing this critical issue is commendable, and the outcomes of the Veterans’ Suicide Prevention Project are eagerly anticipated.