May 6 – 12, 2024 is Mental Health Awareness Week in Canada.
Indeed, mental health is a global concern hitting critical levels: Around 30% of adults report symptoms of anxiety or depression, with that number reaching a shocking 50% among young people (ages 18 to 24).
And this isn’t just about personal struggles—it’s also a massive economic issue, draining around $1 trillion USD globally per year, due primarily to burnout and missed workdays.
Antidepressants and other forms of medication can help, but often have significant side effects, can be addictive, and are not always accessible or affordable for everyone.
So, what about non-medical intervention?
Studies show that practicing mindfulness and meditation can be as effective as drugs, with the added benefits of being low-cost (or free) and having no negative side-effects.
Which begs the question: why is our mental health worsening each year, despite a readily available free solution?
Well – the fact is that consistently practicing meditation is hard.
Allocating the recommended 40 minutes per day for meditation is just not practical for many Canadians. Studies have shown that the average person’s attention span has dropped by 70% in the past two decades, and it’s even worse for people with neurodivergent minds (ADHD, Autism).
Furthermore, guided meditation presents additional obstacles for people with language barriers. And of course, not everyone has access to a space suitable for meditating.
Now, a Canadian startup is offering a surprising solution. Combining virtual reality with self-generating environments, FloatVR induces a state of mindfulness through fascination rather than concentration. Their solution is being used not only for self-care and personal wellness, but also as a scientifically-backed tool for professional therapy.
Vancouver-based CEO Doron Meir shares the story of the technology behind FloatVR, which took even its developers by surprise.
What inspired you to develop FloatVR?
DM: I’ve always found that walking outdoors, with its gentle stimuli, helps me relax and think more clearly. However, revisiting the same locations can become monotonous, while exploring new ones requires time, and the weather can be unpredictable. With a background in animation and games, I saw an opportunity during the COVID-19 lockdowns to create something unique. The idea was to craft a constantly evolving virtual world, where you could simply exist without any demands—a virtual space for effortless mindfulness. This concept eventually evolved into what is now FloatVR.
Has any research been conducted to validate this approach?
DM: From its inception, FloatVR has been grounded in scientific research. We initiated our journey with a pilot project involving University of British Columbia students, and later conducted a more comprehensive pre-clinical study in Israel, which is pending publication. The findings so far suggest that FloatVR is highly effective in reducing anxiety. We are also gearing up for a clinical trial to further validate these results.
Additionally, the concept of “restorative environments,” as identified by researchers Rachel and Stephen Kaplan, outlines four key characteristics essential for combating anxiety and directed attention fatigue (DAF): Fascination, Immersion, Extension, and Compatibility.
FloatVR uniquely addresses all four aspects, making it the only tool currently available that meets more than two of these criteria.
How is this technology being used by mental health professionals?
DM: Many therapists use FloatVR to help clients mentally transition before therapy sessions. It is also used during the therapy session itself, as the natural and abstract environments make it easier for individuals, particularly those with ADHD or social anxiety, to open up.
To enhance usability, we’ve developed an external control app that allows therapists to adjust the generative VR experience from any device in real time. It provides a great deal of flexibility, allowing therapists to integrate it seamlessly with their existing methods. Our data indicates that using FloatVR improves the effectiveness of therapy in over 85% of cases, with 13% of sessions achieving breakthroughs that, according to therapists, would not have been possible without it.
How do you see the future of virtual reality for mental health in general, and how does FloatVR fit into this future?
DM: Virtual reality is already rapidly transitioning from a gaming platform to taking a significant role in professional settings, including meetings and virtual workspaces. While gaming has propelled VR’s technological advancements, productivity applications are now poised to drive its mass adoption. Apple’s Vision Pro, I think, is going to be a game changer in this respect.
Now, over the next decade, VR devices will become lighter, more compact, and more interconnected. We’ve seen this trajectory before – with personal computers, the internet, and mobile technology. It is now happening with VR.
Health and wellness are already at the forefront of VR’s applications, both personally and professionally. As VR gains mainstream acceptance and becomes an everyday tool for the general public, this trend will only grow stronger.
At the heart of this evolution, FloatVR stands out with technology that not only allows users to be present in the moment but also connects them to their inner self. We see FloatVR as the perfect antidote to today’s fast-paced, saturated, and dopamine-driven digital environment. Our goal is to offer an experience that is as simple as it is sophisticated, using AI and biofeedback to create “the Spotify of immersive wellness.”
Just tell us how you want to feel, and FloatVR will craft a personalized experience to make it happen. All you have to do is simply BE.
Where can VR owners try FloatVR?
DM: FloatVR is available on Meta Quest 2 and 3 devices. To download the app to your VR headset, visit the FloatVR website at floatvr.io. For the professional module used by therapists and caregivers, please contact the team.
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