Virtual Reality, as the name suggests, is a term coined for computer-generated simulations of an environment or image with which one can interact in seemingly physical ways. While most of the people relate Virtual Reality with gaming and entertainment apps, very few know about the medical breakthroughs that are being unravelled these days.
Gradually, Virtual Reality is being looked at as one of the technology innovations which can be leveraged in many other areas apart from gaming and entertainment, like the field of Medicine. VR technology is capable of facilitating various out-of-the-box solutions that can make a lot of tasks easier for physicians, can make many things possible (which were considered impossible once) and make patient care a lot better.
Considering the vast scope and incredible benefits, several Virtual Reality development companies are directly or indirectly indulged in creating smart VR based solutions for the healthcare industry.
- Assistance Through Complex Surgeries
Unquestionably, the field of medical has become outstandingly advanced and medical professionals are treating several medical conditions which were once considered untreatable. While medical advancement and research have greatly contributed to transforming the field of medicine, but, one of the underlying factors whose involvement cannot be negated is “Technology”.
Advanced technologies including Virtual Reality are constantly changing the face of healthcare, and how medical services are provided. VR is assisting the physicians and surgeons not only thoroughly plan the complex surgeries by visualizing all the probable scenarios and helping the doctors prepare for the procedures through 3D visualizations. This is greatly reducing the risk of unknown or unexpected surprises during the surgery.
Moreover, the 3D visualizations are enabling the healthcare experts to transform the CT Scans, MRI Images and X-Rays into high-resolution 3D images revealing a plethora of useful information which was previously inaccessible.
- Significant Reduction of Stress for Patients
Being in hospital can have a significant impact on a person’s psychological and emotional well-being, and thus, it’s very important for the patients to stay positive in order to avoid any post-treatment trauma or clinical depression.
Virtual Reality based solutions are increasingly being tested for these patients and these have been delivering measurable results in stress reduction for the patients undergoing long –term treatments. Not only there are VR based simulations and entertainment apps, there are some games that have been specifically developed for stress management.
These games can be controlled through one’s breathing and the user gets engrossed in beautiful underwater or other scenarios that effectively distract them from their physical condition, pain and stress being caused by it.
Not only such games and VR apps are comforting for adults but they are known to show amazing results in children undergoing medical treatments.
- Virtual Reality to Aid Pain Relief and Anxiety
Virtual Reality-based systems are being increasingly used for pain relief and support during anxiety. Post-surgery recovery, some medical procedures and certain medical conditions can be extremely painful and make it very difficult for patients to endure these. Similarly, mental health conditions like extreme anxiety can also be greatly challenging to deal with.
But, a few years ago, who could have thought that one day doctors and median professionals will use technology-based solutions to overcome pain and anxiety. A lot of medical professionals are suggesting VR based head gear to their patients to distract them from their medical conditions.VR headsets let people immerse themselves in a highly engaging and peaceful experience while taking off their attention from the physical or mental discomfort that they might be experiencing.
The VR based solutions are proving extremely helpful for the patients, for whom sedation or anaesthesia is risky. VR based solutions have shown some amazing results in the field of medicine and statistical analysis indicate a measurable reduction in anxiety in cancer patients who are going through chemotherapy.
VR has also shown outstanding results in the paediatric field, as it makes painful and potentially fear-provoking procedures among children much less distressing.
- De-Addiction Therapies Are Being Supported by VR
Among the most difficult treatments or patient therapies are the de-addiction therapies as it’s very challenging to keep the patient indulged. Medical VR has been showing some brilliant results in this aspect of healthcare as well.
While the testing of such VR solutions that can be adopted by de-addiction centres are in their early phases of testing, but, the results that have been gathered so far are astonishing.
Not only these VR solutions are keeping patients engaged during their treatment but by cutting them from the physical world (involving a lot of pain and mental control), it is becoming easier for therapists to deliver assessable results in a shorter span of time.
By reducing the overall time required for a de-addiction program, VR is on the edge of making the greatest achievements in the field of healthcare.
- VR Is Being Utilized in Rehabilitation
Another surprisingly incredible achievement of VR is related to patient rehabilitation. A lot of patients struggling with mobility issues after accidents or strokes are finding VR based solutions quite helpful during their rehab sessions.
With the help of VR based solutions, not only the therapist can control the environment for a patient’s treatment but also accurately measure the impact on their mobility and balance.
Medical professionals from across the world are using ground-breaking VR-mediated rehabilitation solutions and have noticed that these VR solutions are significantly enhancing the speed of recovery among patients.
VR based solutions are greatly shortening the time in which patients regain their physical abilities. Undoubtedly, there’s a lot more research required to validate these results, but, initial findings cannot be denied.
Many leading Virtual Reality development company these days are developing innovation-driven VR solutions that can redefine the way technology is being seen in the field of medicine, and transform the ways primary medical care is given.
Virtual Reality along with other technology innovations are paving way for modernizations in the medical field, and it would be interesting to see how technology revolutionizes the medical arena in the days to come.
We, at ViitorCloud create immersive AR & VR solutions aimed at delivering world class user experience while being tailored to your business requirements, target audience and domain.
