A computer scientist who developed a brain training headset is bringing his device to the UAE in the hope of easing stress in the workplace and to tackle mental health concerns.
Health professionals are clear on the fact technology can play a vital role in supporting healthcare demands. Japan is arguably one of the front-runners in terms of social care, with specialist cameras mooted as a solution to help safeguard those with dementia.
The mind gym, however, aims to improve focus and turbocharge existing meditation techniques. It has been developed by Dr Jamil El-Imad, a fellow at Imperial College in London at the Institute of Biomedical Engineering, who has been researching digital health and software as therapeutic solutions for mental health for 20 years and, as CEO of Swiss charity the Brain Forum, was tasked with advancing brain research.
Dr El-Imad, who is Lebanese, runs the company NeuroPro. The software and algorithm his Dream Machine headset now uses has proved successful in alleviating stress, focusing the mind and relieving depression.
The semi-circular band is loaded with sensors that transmit wireless signals to reveal the workings of the brain. Dr El-Imad now hopes to launch the device into the UAE’s corporate world, to help those who may struggle to focus during work hours.
“There seems to be a very high rise in our modern society of mental health disorders,” he said. “I'm one of the pioneers in virtual reality and I see, apart from its entertainment value, there are some therapeutic needs. With the Swiss Institute of Technology, I started working in 2010 with an incredible team of scientists and neuroscientists to look at VR to treat phobias. We built our own headset that allowed you to train yourself to overcome the phobia that was successful.”
Short attention spans
A Harvard study in 2010 found that human minds wander for 47 per cent of our waking time. The study used an iPhone app to collect 250,000 data points on subjects’ thoughts, feelings, and actions during their daily lives.
While some of this wandering or ‘day dreaming’ is good for our brains, by fostering creativity and solutions to tough problems, it can also lead to stress or anxiety. That research prompted Dr El-Imad to look for a solution to maintain focus and improve mental heath.
His software creates a virtual reality experience for the wearer of the headset, in a customisable virtual world. It can be a desert sandstorm, a mountainous snowstorm or a foggy day familiar to those living in the UAE. By concentration alone, the fog or storm begins to clear during a session lasting no longer than 10 minutes. Over the course of multiple sessions, it enables the user to take control of their minds and to stay in the moment.
Dr El-Imad said the device provides a few minutes of escapism, while connecting new brain pathways that could also delay the onset of other neurodegeneration, such as dementia.
“In older people, if dementia sets in and gets serious, it's probably too late to help,” he said. “But for people who have a predisposition to dementia or early cognitive decline, such as people diagnosed with diabetes before the age of 40, who are more likely to have early dementia, this could help. You can delay it by up to 10 years if you do any exercise to do with brain training, whether it's chess, or if you have something regular like what we're offering. It’s not harmful and you don't have to spend hours with it, but it could help you delay cognitive decline.”
Dementia a health priority
Similar to other areas of mental health, dementia is a fast-growing health priority, as more people live longer into old age.
According to Alzheimer’s disease International, someone in the world develops dementia every three seconds, with more than 55 million people now diagnosed with the condition. That number is likely to double every year, reaching an estimated 139 million cases worldwide by 2050, ADI said.
To apply the brakes to that rapid growth, pre-emptive techniques, such as regular brain training exercises, could offer the best solution.
While the costs associated with the Dream Machine are expected to vary, depending on access to the hardware required, Dr El-Imad said he expected annual subscription costs to be a “few tens of thousands of dollars”.
“We live in an age of constant interruptions and distractions,” he said. “Generally, people who come to work and get on with their jobs with few distractions tend to be more fulfilled. This is device independent, as the magic is in the software and the algorithm. It allows people to have more control over their thoughts, and the escapism is a breath of fresh air.”
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final:
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Disability on screen
Empire — neuromuscular disease myasthenia gravis; bipolar disorder; post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Rosewood and Transparent — heart issues
24: Legacy — PTSD;
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One Mississippi, Wentworth and Transparent — double mastectomy
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Date and venue Friday and Saturday, ICC Academy, Dubai Sports City
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- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
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Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Runners up: Bahrain
Dubai Rugby Sevens
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Runners up: Abu Dhabi Harlequins
UAE Premiership Cup
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UAE Premiership
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It
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The specs: Lamborghini Aventador SVJ
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Five healthy carbs and how to eat them
Brown rice: consume an amount that fits in the palm of your hand
Non-starchy vegetables, such as broccoli: consume raw or at low temperatures, and don’t reheat
Oatmeal: look out for pure whole oat grains or kernels, which are locally grown and packaged; avoid those that have travelled from afar
Fruit: a medium bowl a day and no more, and never fruit juices
Lentils and lentil pasta: soak these well and cook them at a low temperature; refrain from eating highly processed pasta variants
Courtesy Roma Megchiani, functional nutritionist at Dubai’s 77 Veggie Boutique
Expo details
Expo 2020 Dubai will be the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia
The world fair will run for six months from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021.
It is expected to attract 25 million visits
Some 70 per cent visitors are projected to come from outside the UAE, the largest proportion of international visitors in the 167-year history of World Expos.
More than 30,000 volunteers are required for Expo 2020
The site covers a total of 4.38 sqkm, including a 2 sqkm gated area
It is located adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South
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MATCH INFO
Real Madrid 2 (Benzema 13', Kroos 28')
Barcelona 1 (Mingueza 60')
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'Unrivaled: Why America Will Remain the World’s Sole Superpower'
Michael Beckley, Cornell Press
Roll of honour
Who has won what so far in the West Asia Premiership season?
Western Clubs Champions League - Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins; Runners up: Bahrain
Dubai Rugby Sevens - Winners: Dubai Exiles; Runners up: Jebel Ali Dragons
West Asia Premiership - Winners: Jebel Ali Dragons; Runners up: Abu Dhabi Harlequins
UAE Premiership Cup - Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins; Runners up: Dubai Exiles
West Asia Cup - Winners: Bahrain; Runners up: Dubai Exiles
West Asia Trophy - Winners: Dubai Hurricanes; Runners up: DSC Eagles
Final West Asia Premiership standings - 1. Jebel Ali Dragons; 2. Abu Dhabi Harlequins; 3. Bahrain; 4. Dubai Exiles; 5. Dubai Hurricanes; 6. DSC Eagles; 7. Abu Dhabi Saracens
Fixture (UAE Premiership final) - Friday, April 13, Al Ain – Dubai Exiles v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
