Since 2015 we have been collaborating with leading pediatric healthcare institutions and researchers to test various applications of advanced gameplay for clinical effect in providing non-pharmacological stress relief in children using immersive media.
Our PDT product combines all the most effective positive distraction techniques with an innovative approach to adaptive gameplay that adjusts to an individual’s response.
Gentle exposure by creating virtual non-threatening environments utilizing 360 video and CGI.
We are designing in a way that allows any child to get the most out of a game experience by using AI as a tool to find the best learning/play style of each child.
People First.
Innovation
Shaftesbury Technology improves quality of life for children around the world with innovative technologies that teach, heal and transform.
Through our network of technology leaders and healthcare professionals we combine adaptive AI and human-centered design to create immersive experiences that empower children to be the hero of their own story.
Overview.
Product Pillars.
The objective of Positive Distraction Therapy is to rapidly reduce a child's anxiety and create ‘flow’, an engaged yet relaxed state of attention. Developed to reach the clinical goals of our research partners, Shaftesbury Technology’s PDT system for adaptive games in immersive experiences is successful by adjusting to an individual's responses, thus creating a rich experience. Our proprietary Gentle AI system continuously adapts to user information across all users – ‘learning’ how to create flow more efficiently.
The dashboard reporting screen delivers advanced data analytics in real-time, consistently enabling healthcare providers with the provisions to enhance their patients experience, monitor progress, and individualize program use for therapeutic benefit. The system tracks between 2,400 and 5,000 data points in a typical eight-minute session, all of which are individually tracked, fed back into the game engine to modify play, and are then exported to our data server for analysis, reporting on (anonymous) individual play and aggregation into reports across patient populations.
Shaftesbury Technology has partnered with the Bloorview Research Institute to develop School Bus VR, an immersive experience designed to support children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, by offering the experience of riding the school bus without leaving home. For many families, riding the bus to school presents an enormous challenge, especially for some children with ASD, which may cause a limitation to a child’s participation in school. A Clinical Usability Study and peer-reviewed paper are set to be released in 2020. School Bus VR illustrates a first stop in creating assistive technology to help children feel more in control.
We are currently developing four new VR programs for children who identify with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), including one associated with a dental appointment. Current research slate includes a study to determine the visual fidelity and immersive quality of using CGI instead of 360˚ videos.
OUR INDUSTRY COLLABORATORS
Not Just Building Products .... Building Eco-Systems
WHAT PARENTS ARE SAYING
SHN phase II trials 120 children age 8-15
“Thought the game was amazing as a distraction. The game was a great opportunity to ease child’s tension and captivate him.”
“Very good program, instead of just sitting there and thinking about surgery, child gets to play game and be distracted instead. I think this game improved his perception of surgery”
“Family thought the game was distracting and was able to take child’s mind off the surgery. Parents felt more comfortable seeing their child comfortable.”
Intent counts more than technique and we have always believed that our principal obligation is to outcomes.