The role of virtual reality in improving healthcare
VR (Virtual Reality) technology appeared in our world a few years ago. Until now, it was associated primarily with computer games. However, virtual reality (VR) will play a greater role in caring for the patient, becoming a completely new branch of medicine.
It will play a particularly important role in medical applications by providing a virtual environment for VR therapy, rehabilitation and also by serving as an educational platform.
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The advantage of VR devices is the use of sound and the feeling of movement transmission, which provides many stimuli and improves the functioning of the nervous system. An example of this is a balance training platform – a person standing on it, thanks to the connection of the platform with a VR device, can control the course of the situation shown on the screen. Special games connected to the platform allow you to perform exercises to strengthen your muscles or improve your balance.
This gives promising therapeutic effects, especially in the case of seniors. How does VR affect their health? An elderly person adapts to artificial images and specific situations by making appropriate movements, and thus interacts with the generated reality.
“Vivid images” are also used in hospitals as a “distraction” of patients from the procedures they undergo and the discomfort associated with pain. Another application is education consisting in creating “virtual tours” of the body, which can bring patients closer to the scope of their treatment or planned surgery. VR also helps doctors, e.g. surgeons, who may visualize potential risks before a planned operation. This allows the quality of healthcare to be improved.
Trends in the healthcare market
The use of virtual reality in medicine or the use of virtual reality in rehabilitation seem to have unlimited possibilities. The growing interest of doctors, researchers and patients in these technologies will certainly result in the emergence of new areas of their application. Diagnostics of neurological and psychiatric diseases, rehabilitation after stroke, advanced research on the human brain are just some of the areas of medicine that will benefit from the implementation of virtual reality solutions.
The virtual reality system also provides patients with the opportunity to look at patients from a different perspective. For example, headsets with special software imitate the world perceived by the senses of Alzheimer’s patients. It is a rich source of education, but also a chance to develop empathy towards the sick.
To check out the newest VR solutions in healthcare visit https://mazerspace.com/healthcare/