Source: Forbes
When most people think of Virtual Reality (VR), the image that comes to mind is interactive gaming experiences and awe-inspiring, immersive entertainment. And, while the media and entertainment industry is a critical driver of advancing extended reality (xR) technologies (which encompasses virtual, augmented and mixed reality), a deeper examination makes it clear these technologies are poised to have a profound impact across an array of industries.
One such industry is healthcare, where healthcare professionals are finding a growing set of applications where advanced technologies enhance their ability to improve patient outcomes. These xR technologies are finding a home within the healthcare industry particularly because they can be used as a non-invasive, engaging means for patient treatment. Whether used for mental health therapy, for comforting patients, or as a tool for rehabilitation and exercise, VR technologies are providing an effective, elegant solution for a host of individuals needing innovative medical care.
An exciting area VR is impacting is the field of mental health therapy. With the continued rise in the number of individuals who will experience mental health disorders over their lifetime, the need for risk-free and scalable treatments as alternatives to traditional remedies and pharmaceuticals is becoming increasingly important. In the media, entertainment and gaming industries, VR is used to produce emotional, psychological and physiological responses; exactly the responses needed in using exposure therapy as a treatment for a variety of mental health disorders. Commonly used to address phobias and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), exposure therapy is characterized by the controlled introduction of individuals to the experiences that trigger their psychosomatic responses.
Appropriately regulated exposure triggers a manageable response without challenging the patient enough to cause adverse effects; the patient can then learn to become more accustomed to the sensations and practice cognitive-behavioral techniques that will help them manage deleterious responses. VR is especially useful in this situation, as finding the appropriate level of exposure can be challenging in the real world (especially when a patient’s triggers are rare). The use of virtual worlds allows construction of the experiences in a manner similar to levels in a game enabling patients to work through stressful situations comfortably in a controlled environment.Patient comfort is an increasingly important part of the health care process. There are millions of patients who deal with chronic and acute pain on a daily basis. Pain management is extremely challenging…
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