‘We decided to employ gamification mechanisms to motivate individuals doing the exercises to try and overcome increasingly difficult tasks. The system takes advantage of virtual reality techniques used in sophisticated computer games. The patient has access to two virtual rooms where they engage in a specific activity’, explained dr hab. inż. Adam Wojciechowski, TUL professor, Dean of FTIMS and Head of the Institute of Information Technology.
Compared to other gaming alternatives for seniors currently in the market, the GRYDSEN product is the only one whose therapeutic utility has been verified in scientific studies. The tool has been tested with human subjects, with the approval of the bioethics committee.
Dr inż. Jarosław Andrzejczak of the Institute of Information Technology explains, The tests took several months to complete. Users performed their exercises regularly so that we would be able to track progress in motor and cognitive functions. Psychologists conducted the appropriate tests to validate the results.
The proposal Grydsen - innovative VR-aided cognitive therapy methods for seniors' won funding from NCBR (Fast Track scheme, OP Smart Growth).
The project team was interdisciplinary, dr inż. Jarosław Andrzejczak, Institute of IT, explains, 'and included specialists in information technology, computer graphics, usability design, psychology, and physiotherapy. The group designed and implemented the technology, whereas Grydsen specialists contributed their expertise in psychology and physiotherapy. The entire technology was developed in Łódź, starting with the VR application engine, to the virtual environment natural to the user, to interaction and usability testing.
The GRYDSEN system is made for the global market, with language versions in Polish, English (UK and US), French, and German.
Among the buyers and users of GRYDSEN are senior citizen centers, private medical, psychological, and physical therapy clinics, hospitals, health spas, health care centers, and other senior population healthcare stakeholders.
Dr hab. inż. Adam Wojciechowski emphasizes, 'the Grydsen system has already earned European and global recognition. It won a gold medal in Kyoto, Paris, and Katowice, as well as several other awards at events promoting innovation. Its most recent success is the Łódzkie Eureka award’.
The team includes:
Institute of Information Technology, Faculty of Technical Physics, Information Technology and Applied Mathematics: dr hab. inż. Adam Wojciechowski, TUL professor, dr inż. Jarosław Andrzejczak, mgr inż. Jan Bełczącki, mgr inż. Wiktoria Kopania (Kozłowicz), mgr inż. Sonia Jach, mgr inż. Krystian Jabłoński.
Grydsen Sp. z o.o.: dr Michał Majcherek, dr n. med. Marta Podhorecka, dr Anna Pyszora, mgr Elżbieta Izdebska, mgr Karolina Juszczyk, mgr Magdalena Liberacka-Dwojak, dr n. med. Radosław Perkowski.