This promising method has undergone preliminary testing in Ukraine on approximately 155 war victims. The results were encouraging, with significant improvement noted on the post-traumatic symptoms scale. A similar study in Ukraine is in the pipeline for publication. The developers are now planning to conduct further research in Israel. After successful trials, the treatment will be made available in Israel. Prof. Lahav, who is involved in the treatment process, believes that the tool will have a positive impact in preventing post-trauma and other emotional difficulties that arise from trauma exposure, such as depression and anxiety.
Prof. Lahav further commented, “Given the situation after October 7th, there is a distinct shortage of therapists in Israel. Many individuals are grappling with distress. There is a stigma associated with this distress, and many people shy away from seeking help. Our system allows for anonymity and provides treatment. We hope that many Israelis will take advantage of it.”
Here’s how the system works: The patient logs into a computerized system and answers a series of personal questions. The system attempts to zero in on the central cause of the current distress. A video, customized to the patient’s situation, is projected. A psychologist guides the patient to tap their shoulders rapidly, at a rate of 2 taps per second. This process is known as “bilateral stimulation,” which alternately activates both sides of the brain. The patient is then asked to repeat a series of sentences that relate to their emotional difficulty.
This innovative venture is the product of a collaboration between the Faculty of Medicine at Tel Aviv University, Emek Jezreel Academic College, and Microsoft Israel. The treatment comprises 80 video clips, each tailored to the patient’s situation. Expert psychologists guide patients through steps to prevent the traumatic experience from escalating. They do this by bilaterally activating different parts of the brain related to sensory perception and anxiety centers.
The technique was originally developed by psychiatrist Dr. Gerry Quinn. It is considered one of the top three global methods for treating post-trauma. According to Prof. Lahav, there are several theories explaining how the method works. One theory suggests that during REM sleep, our eyes move from side to side, potentially replicating the processing of past events. She explains, “During a traumatic event, you have no control over what happens. However, you can take steps to manage the situation as effectively as possible. The aim is to alter the patient’s perception of the traumatic experience.”
The idea for the project was conceived after Black Sabbath. Dr. Oren Assman from Tel Aviv University met with officials from the Ministry of Defense who expressed the need for tools to manage trauma on a national scale. Dr. Assman then brought in Prof. Yael Lahav, head of the laboratory for studying mental trauma, Dr. Amir Tal from Tel Aviv University, and Dr. Zohar Eliosef from Emek Jezreel Academic College. Together, they designed a cutting-edge platform. Microsoft Israel provided a team of engineers for the development process.
