A landmark global study, jointly developed by WHO and the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), revealed that one-third of the world’s population lives with a health condition and could benefit from rehabilitation1. The need has increased 63% since 1990, rising from 1.48 billion to 2.41 billion people!1
That’s not all; critical findings have reported that,
- 1 in 3 people could benefit from rehabilitation2
- 2.6 billion people experience conditions that could improve with rehabilitation2
With the advent of virtual reality, rehabilitation has witnessed a transformative shift in virtual reality (VR) technology. So much so that the Global Virtual Reality for Rehabilitation Market was valued at $135.2 million, and is projected to reach a market size of $371.03 million by 2030.
This blog will explore virtual reality and rehabilitation, its benefits, and various use cases. Before we begin, let’s understand virtual reality rehabilitation.
What Is Virtual Reality Rehabilitation?
Virtual Reality(VR) Rehabilitation is a treatment approach that uses immersive VR environments to aid in recovering and rehabilitating patients with various medical conditions. VR rehabilitation devices provide patients with realistic, interactive simulations to perform therapeutic exercises and activities. Healthcare professionals tailor these virtual environments to mimic real-life scenarios, allowing patients to practice and improve their physical, cognitive, and emotional skills in a safe and controlled setting. Let us delve into the various benefits of VR rehabilitation for patients.
Benefits of Virtual Reality Rehabilitation
Virtual Reality (VR) rehabilitation is transforming the landscape of therapeutic practices and patient outcomes. Here are some of the critical benefits of VR rehabilitation:
Enhanced Engagement
VR environments are inherently engaging, offering dynamic and stimulating experiences that significantly boost patient motivation. Incorporating elements of gamification into rehabilitation makes the process enjoyable and less tedious.
Patients are more likely to participate enthusiastically in their therapy sessions when they perceive them as fun and rewarding, which can lead to better and faster recovery. Besides, VR transforms repetitive exercises into enjoyable activities and helps patients stay committed to their rehabilitation programs, leading to better adherence and outcomes.
Personalized Therapy
VR rehabilitation therapy allows therapists to customize sessions based on individual patient needs. Therapists can adjust the difficulty, duration, and type of activities in real time, ensuring that each session is optimally challenging and relevant to the patient’s specific condition and progress.
Real-Time Feedback
VR systems provide immediate feedback on performance, which is crucial for effective rehabilitation. Patients can see their movements and improvements in real-time, enabling a sense of accomplishment and encouraging continued effort. Additionally, therapists can access detailed data on patient progress, allowing precise adjustments to the therapy plan.
Safe & Controlled Environment
VR creates a safe, controlled environment where patients can practice movements and activities without the risk of an actual injury. This is particularly beneficial for patients with severe impairments or those recovering from surgery, as it allows them to gradually build strength and confidence.
Accessibility & Convenience
VR rehabilitation can be conducted in various settings, including clinics, hospitals, and at home. This flexibility increases accessibility for patients with mobility issues or those far from clinics, ensuring that more individuals can benefit from advanced rehabilitation techniques. Besides, newer forms of rehabilitation, such as telerehabilitation therapies3, have emerged.
Use Cases of Virtual Reality Rehabilitation
Let us explore the various use cases of virtual reality rehabilitation within the healthcare sector.
Virtual Reality for Stroke Rehabilitation
Every 40 seconds, someone has a stroke, and every 3 minutes and 11 seconds, someone dies of a stroke4. It is estimated that 33 to 42 % of stroke survivors require assistance for daily living activities three to six months post-stroke, and of these, 36 % continue to be disabled five years later.5 Apart from impaired motor function, more than 40 % of stroke survivors are left with cognitive impairment after the event, and almost two-thirds are affected by mild cognitive impairment and are at risk of developing dementia.6 VR technology addresses these challenges through immersive, interactive experiences that support comprehensive rehabilitation.
A primary benefit of VR in stroke rehabilitation is its ability to aid in motor function recovery. Virtual reality for physical and motor rehabilitation uses VR systems that simulate real-life tasks and environments, allowing patients to practice movements and activities essential for daily living. These simulations can be based on the patient’s needs and progress, ensuring that exercises remain challenging yet achievable. The immersive nature of VR helps patients stay focused and engaged, which is critical for neuroplasticity and motor learning.
Stroke can impair various cognitive functions, including memory, attention, and problem-solving skills. VR provides a unique platform for cognitive rehabilitation by creating scenarios that require patients to use and improve these skills.
A recent study conducted a one-month randomized controlled trial with 18 stroke inpatients and outpatients from two rehabilitation units.7 Nine performed a VR-based intervention, and nine performed conventional rehabilitation.7
The VR-based intervention involved a virtual simulation of a city—Reh@City—which required the virtual performance of several daily routines. As a result, the VR group depicted significant improvements in global cognitive functioning, attention, memory, visuospatial abilities, executive functions, emotion, and overall recovery.7
Lastly, VR technology is increasingly becoming portable and affordable, making it accessible for home-based therapy. This mainly benefits stroke patients who may have difficulty traveling to rehabilitation centers. Various forms of VR rehabilitation, such as telerehabilitation, allow patients to continue their therapy independently, with remote monitoring and guidance from their therapists.
Virtual Reality for Rehabilitation in Parkinson’s Disease
Nearly one million people in the U.S. are living with Parkinson’s Disease8 (PD), and almost 90,000 people are diagnosed with PD each year.8 Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder9 characterized by motor symptoms such as tremors, rigidity, bradykinesia, and postural instability, as well as non-motor symptoms like cognitive decline and mood disorders.
Research has revealed that VR therapy induced increased benefits on stride or step length, balance, and neuropsychiatric symptoms10. Through simulated environments and tasks, VR can help patients improve their balance, coordination, and gait.
Exercises such as virtual walking paths, obstacle courses, and dance routines can be specifically designed to target the motor deficits associated with PD. These activities help to reinforce muscle memory and improve the brain’s ability to control movements, thereby reducing the severity of motor symptoms.
VR rehabilitation therapy has also significantly affected gait speed, balance, activities of daily living, and postural control in people with PD11. By offering a safe and controlled environment for patients to work on their balance and posture, VR rehabilitation therapy can engage PD patients in exercises that challenge their equilibrium, such as virtual balance beams or shifting weight on a virtual platform. These activities are designed to improve core strength and stability, reducing the risk of falls in daily life.
Virtual Reality for Rehabilitation of Cancer Survivors
The number of cancer survivors is projected to increase by 24.4%, to 22.5 million, by 203212.
However, a life after having cancer can be challenging. Most cancer survivors live with the fear of recurrence, depression, pain, memory problems, sexual dysfunction, and relationship issues13. Moreover, late effects of cancer may double survivors’ risk of poor mental and physical health-related quality of life13.
VR can significantly enhance physical rehabilitation for cancer survivors by providing engaging and motivating environments for exercise. Survivors can participate in tailored virtual exercises that improve strength, flexibility, and endurance. Virtual yoga, guided walking tours, and interactive physical therapy exercises can help rebuild muscle strength and improve cardiovascular health. The immersive nature of VR makes these exercises more enjoyable, encouraging regular participation and adherence to rehabilitation programs.
Chronic pain is a common issue for many cancer survivors. VR effectively manages pain by providing immersive experiences that distract the mind and reduce pain perception. A recent study demonstrated the effectiveness of VR for pain management. The study was conducted on 120 patients diagnosed with various ailments, including orthopedic problems, gastrointestinal diseases, etc., and admitted to the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Most patients had an average score of 3 out of 10 on the pain scale.14
Half of these patients were offered virtual reality rehabilitation devices like VR goggles, while the other half were asked to tune into their in-room TVs. The study’s findings revealed that the use of VR resulted in significant improvements in pain compared to the TV group, with patients in the VR group averaging 1.7 points lower on the pain scale.14
When researchers further analyzed the results, it was revealed that of patients with the most severe pain of seven or above, VR patients averaged three points lower than the TV group.14
Cancer and its treatments can lead to cognitive impairments, often referred to as “chemo brain,” which can affect memory, attention, and executive function. VR offers a platform for cognitive rehabilitation through interactive games and exercises designed to improve these mental skills.
Survivors can engage in memory games, problem-solving tasks, and attention-training activities within a virtual environment, which can help mitigate cognitive decline and enhance mental sharpness. Moreover, a study revealed that VR rehabilitation devices helped cancer patients overcome “scanxiety”15 – the fear of being re-diagnosed with cancer. Participants could administer VR devices before their scans, and 90% of them classified the VR intervention as “worthwhile.”15
Virtual Reality for Rehabilitation of Mental Health
Virtual Reality (VR) is increasingly recognized as a valuable tool in mental health rehabilitation, offering innovative and immersive therapeutic interventions. For individuals with PTSD, VR can provide a unique form of therapy known as Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET), and it has a reported success rate of between 66% and 90% for those with PTSD.16
VRET involves recreating traumatic events in a controlled virtual environment where patients can safely confront and process their trauma under the guidance of a therapist. Confronting a traumatic event in a safe setting can reduce the patient’s fear and emotional response and desensitize patients to their triggers.
VR therapy can also create calming and serene environments that promote relaxation and reduce stress. Virtual nature scenes, guided meditation, and mindfulness exercises can help patients manage stress and anxiety by providing an escape from their daily pressures. These immersive experiences can lower heart rates and decrease cortisol levels, contributing to overall mental well-being. A scientific article revealed that the use of CBT in a virtual setting is an effective way to treat those with depression and reluctant to seek traditional therapy.16
Another study found that therapists could use VR therapy as an alternative form of treatment to in-person therapy for people with social anxiety.16 Virtual environments can simulate various social interactions, allowing patients to practice communication, empathy, and social cues in a risk-free setting. This repeated practice helps build confidence and social competence, which can be transferred to real-life interactions.
We have provided you with a comprehensive guide to VR rehabilitation, its benefits, and various use cases. Remember to consult a certified VR professional when seeking rehabilitation for a specific need. Don’t worry—we are here to help!
XRHealth: Your Virtual Healing Journey Begins Today!
XRHealth is a dedicated VR therapy platform for healthcare. We redefine therapeutic healthcare from patients to providers. Our eXperience Space platform utilizes VR for relaxation and mindfulness, enhancing patient care in clinical settings. We also enable patient engagement and outcomes with our groundbreaking virtual reality platform for therapists – the Mental Health Space.
That’s not all; we integrate immersive VR technology with advanced data analytics on one platform, aiding healthcare providers in delivering a comprehensive care solution for their patients. The platform offers specialized FDA-registered VR apps with over 140 VR environments catering to 16+ therapeutic areas and are reimbursable by Medicare. Our virtual clinics empower patients to receive care anytime, anywhere, provided by our licensed therapists using VR technology.
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