Rehabilitation Using VR

Introduction

VR (virtual reality) is an interactive stimulation formed with computer hardware and software. This allows the users to create opportunities to interact with the environment, which appears and feels like the real world. If a person has suffered from any injury that causes pain or loss of mobility, physical therapy can help the person recover. Virtual reality is one of the main methods physical therapists include in the treatment. Read the article to know more.

What Is Meant by Virtual Reality?

Virtual reality consists of a headset that is worn at the level of the eyes. The headset will have a screen or mobile, which immerses the user into the virtual world. Some virtual reality will also have earpieces that provide an auditory source to the user. These headsets will completely block the sound from the outside world, and the person will see only the video being played on the screen.

What Is Meant by Physical Therapy?

Physical therapy is known as physiotherapy, considered an allied health profession. This form of treatment is practiced with the help of a physical therapist. Physical therapy helps to relieve pain and enhance mobility after an injury.

How Is Virtual Reality Used in Physical Therapy?

Virtual reality is usually used in rehabilitation centers to treat people. During rehab, reading a novel or any fun approach is a better way to deal with people. The patient will be motivated at a higher level if the rehab program is enjoyable. People with a diagnosis of certain conditions can benefit from the use of virtual reality.

What Are the Various Types of Visual Reality?

• Non-immersive Virtual Reality: It allows the person to interact with the computer-generated images of themselves on the screen. In this, the person can see and feel the real world and is not immersed in the visual reality world.

• Semi-immersive Virtual Reality: In this case, an advanced visual display is used. In this, the person can see the real world on both sides of the screen.

• Immersive Virtual Reality: In this a head mount displayed is provided to the person, which gives multiple experiences. A lot of additional equipment allows the person to explore the virtual world like an avatar. These equipments are:

  • Gesture-sensing gloves.

  • Wands.

  • Vibrotactile platforms.

  • Multidirectional treadmills.

What Are the Conditions Where the Use of Virtual Reality Be Helpful?

Some conditions where the use of virtual reality is helpful are:

• Neurological Issues: People with neurological conditions may have their arms affected, making it difficult for them to reach for an object, or those with lower body impairment will face difficulty moving from one place to another. In such cases, virtual reality during physical therapy will help the person coordinate the upper and lower body balance. Some of the neurological condition that benefits from using virtual reality during physical therapy sessions are

• Parkinson’s disease.

• Stroke.

• Multiple sclerosis.

• Injury to the spinal cord.

• Cervical myelopathy.

• Pediatric Condition: In the case of children, physical therapy is introduced as play. Introducing the proper way to play is a better way to attain proper functional movement. The physical therapist can correct the functional movement of the children using virtual reality. Suppose the child has any functional mobility issues. In that case, they can benefit from physical therapy, but if the child needs any playful instrument to engage in rehab, virtual reality can act as a tool.

Some medical conditions where virtual reality helps are:

• Autism is a neurological and developmental condition affecting people's communication, behavior, and learning.

• Developmental delay means children with a lack of social and emotional skills.

• Hypotonia is a condition that refers to reduced muscle tone.

• Developmental coordination condition or dyspraxia is a condition that impairs physical coordination.

• Cerebral palsy involves many conditions which affect movement and posture.

• Vestibular Rehab: The Vestibular system maintains the coordination between the head and the eye movement. Any problem in the vestibular system can result in vertigo and difficulty for the person to maintain an upright position. Gaze stabilization exercises are performed to help retain the head's stability and the eye movement. Using virtual reality during rehabilitation sessions can help the [person to maintain the coordination between the head and eye and helps to maintain the upright position.

• Orthopedic Condition: If a person has any problem with the ankle after the sprain or knee surgery, using virtual reality during rehab helps the person stay focused and enhances movement and strength. Visual reality also helps people with shoulder pain. Some conditions that can help to improve by using virtual reality are

• Ankle sprain.

• Hip or ankle surgery.

• Shoulder pain.

• Long-term pain management.

• Back and neck pain.

• Vision Therapy: People with vision issues undergo therapy to get proper treatment, lenses, and corrective procedures. Visual reality is seen to be effective in correcting certain visual conditions. The visual-based treatment makes the eyes focus on certain objects.

How Does Visual Reality Help Physical Therapy?

In terms of outcome and access to care, visual reality helps physical therapy. If a person needs rehabilitation help for illness or chronic health problems, and illness, the first thing a person should do is consult a physical therapist. They will suggest if visual reality-based treatments are available for their condition.

Some benefits are:

• Enhances Pain Management: By immersing the person into a virtual world, virtual reality can help to distract the patient from pain. This method can help to decrease the emotional response of the person to pain and anxiety.

• Improved Patient Engagement: The patient shows incremental improvements through physical therapy through regular and proper exercises. It is a long process and lack of interest or engagement of the patient can increase the time length of the treatment. But by using virtual reality the patients are kept engaged throughout the physical therapy.

• Sensory Training: Visual reality can involve the whole body system for complete rehabilitation, improving posture, balance, and movement during physical therapy.

Conclusion

For people, going to rehab daily consistently is very challenging. And spending a part of the day doing physical therapy is very tough. Virtual reality helps to make the person stay engaged throughout the physical therapy session and al; so helps to achieve the goals. Regular and proper practice of physical therapy will help the person to improve mobility balance, and strengthen the muscles.