Spectrum News 1: Cedars-Sinai VR Technology Helps Patients with Mental Health Therapy
Spectrum News 1 recently interviewed Cedars-Sinai psychiatrist Omer Liran, MD, and patient Nicole Bresnick about Xaia, an AI-powered conversational therapist designed to provide patients with mental health support.
Liran told Spectrum News 1 reporter Jasdeep Kang that he trains Xaia to provide personalized responses to users in immersive settings, like the beach. He said one of the benefits of the virtual reality program is that the headset offers hospital patients a quick and accessible respite during their stay.
“If a patient is in a hospital bed surrounded by four white walls and they have an IV in their arm and nurses come in and out—everything about that environment reminds them that they are sick,” said Liran, who is co-director of Cedars-Sinai Virtual Medicine.
Bresnick is one of the first patients to use Xaia. She said it helps her cope with Crohn’s disease, which requires following a restrictive diet of lean protein, fruits and vegetables to avoid flare-ups. Being mindful of her food choices can be exhausting.
Bresnick said Xaia helps her manage the mental health challenges that come with a chronic illness and the emotional toll it can take. She likes that the virtual therapist validates her feelings and guides her through self-reflection.
Bresnick told Kang that she likewise appreciates Xaia’s ability to provide positive reinforcement and unbiased feedback. She said she really likes that the program is a non-partial entity “that actually is invested in spending time in getting to know me, and how I'm experiencing my illness.”
Watch the complete video and read the complete story from Spectrum News 1.