Virtual Reality

Virtual Reality has been around for a while but was mostly used for entertainment. Over time it was discovered how Virtual Reality can be used in other forms. For instance, in Physical Therapy it is used as a form of therapy. It consists of real-life activities that support full-body rehabilitation. Through Virtual Reality, a patient is able to participate in real-life activities such as running, jogging, hiking, etc. This happens by the patient being connected to a machine that interacts with what they are virtually seeing. The concept is that the machine will move your body in relation to the activity being displayed. Your body may not be able to move in such a manner, but it gets moved and exercised as if it can.

Comic Strip

Virtual Reality allows the patient to enter into another world through VR googles. This takes away a majority of their senses because their brain is trying to focus primarily on the images that are being displayed to them. This allows the body to function almost on its own without you having to question your movement. By watching a video on VR googles, your body and mind will automatically react to what is appearing. For example, if the VR goggles are showing you walking down a dirt road on a nice hike then we would place the patient on a treadmill, and their legs will start to slowly move in response to what they are seeing. If an animal appeared on the road then the brain's response would be to stop therefore the legs will respond as well. This form of therapy allows the brain to work when the body can not resulting in movement in your limbs.

Benefits of using Virtual Reality Therapy

Improved Mobility

The brain is able to function in different ways because it is immersed in a different reality. This allows the body to move freely without the brain realizing that your body is not supposed to move in that way. It is a form of subconscious movement.

Better Treatment Plans

Creates a more individualized plan for each patient with their specific goals in mind

Control of Exposure

VR is very interactive and the participant can choose the amount of exposure they receive as to not be overwhelmed

Cost-Effective

Virtual Reality Therapy is a great cost-efficient form of therapy. Most therapy includes multiple machines and activities while VR is just one machine and one program.

Motivates and Empowers Patients

Virtual Reality Therapy is so easy and fun that patients feel motivated to do it and it empowers them to continue treatment at home. This helps increase the effectiveness of the treatment.

Virtual Reality Therapy Research

Virtual Reality Rehabilitation - The Future of Physical TherapyToday, telerehabilitation based on virtual reality is an area of active research. Therapists using VR-based telerehabilitation can prescribe exercise routines via the web which are then easily accessed and executed by patients from the comfort of their homes.

Virtual Reality is Finding a Home in Physical TherapyVirtual reality has plenty of applications for fitness — you’re here, so you already know that. However, it is increasingly becoming a tool for rehabilitation, as well. Neuro Rehab VR aims to make physical therapy more enjoyable, and it promises to help patients more than traditional physical therapy. Making physical therapy fun With only about […]

Meet Virtual Reality, Your New Physical TherapistWhile use of the gaming technology for improving physical ailments is still in the early stages, it shows promise — and it’s fun.

3 Ways Virtual Reality is Shaping Physical Therapy OutcomesFinding ways to achieve better patient outcomes at a lower cost is a hot topic in the world of rehab and physical therapy providers. With the Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM) on the radar for 2019, it will be essential for them to reimagine how they are providing care in order to achieve high quality

New interactive technology makes physical therapy feel like a virtual reality game | Norton Children's Louisville, Ky.Therapists can create interactive simulations, such as walking in a forest, riding on a boat or flying a kite.

Young patients use virtual reality to focus on healingBy introducing virtual reality into their physical therapy regime, young patients are able to stay engaged and motivated throughout their training.

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