Virtual Reality (VR) technology is no longer a novelty in the medical field. We believe that its potential extends far beyond what we currently see, and it has the power to help more people in various ways. Today’s VR devices are already being used to treat stroke patients, social phobias, and even support detoxification programs.
In some foreign countries, researchers have explored how VR can influence human behavior. For example, when a child's body is projected into an adult's form within a virtual environment, they often behave in a very childish way—showing how the brain can be "tricked" by VR.
Inspired by such studies, Dr. Sook-Lei Liew, an assistant professor at the University of Southern California, asked: Could VR be used to help stroke patients recover? Her hypothesis was that if a patient could experience normal movement through VR, it might stimulate brain plasticity and aid in the recovery of motor functions.
Liew formed a research team and spent two years investigating this idea. Using EEG and EMG, the team monitored brain activity and muscle movements. These signals were then fed into a computer program, which would trigger a virtual arm in the VR environment whenever the patient attempted to move. This visual feedback helped retrain the brain, reinforcing neural pathways and accelerating recovery.
This concept isn't unique to Liew. In February 2023, a Swiss company named MindMaze secured $100 million in funding. Their mission is to bring VR-integrated neuroscience solutions to the market, including applications for stroke rehabilitation.
Although VR hasn’t taken off in the consumer space yet, its potential in healthcare is becoming increasingly clear. Medical schools now use VR to train students, and midwives practice delivery techniques using immersive simulations.
In May of this year, MindMaze announced that its VR treatment platform, MindMaze Pro, has received FDA approval in the U.S., offering new options for stroke rehabilitation. The platform launched in Europe in 2013 and has successfully completed trials with over 260 patients.
Beyond stroke, VR is also being used to treat social anxiety disorders. According to Xu Yifeng, dean of the Shanghai Mental Health Center, VR is especially effective in psychiatry. Traditional methods required patients to imagine scenarios on their own, which was subjective and inconsistent. With VR, patients can immerse themselves in controlled environments designed by doctors, helping them gradually overcome their fears.
Other applications include VR tools for Alzheimer’s patients developed by MIT students, who use familiar images and music to evoke memories. An Israeli startup has also created a VR physiotherapy product approved by the FDA as a medical device.
In China, VR is being used to assist in drug detoxification. A “VR Detoxification System†has been implemented in Zhejiang’s rehabilitation centers, targeting ice addiction. Patients undergo six sessions involving immersive scenes designed to address cravings, aversion, and regression. According to reports, the system has shown a 98.1% effectiveness rate in reducing moderate cravings.
According to a report by RnR Market Research, the global VR medical services market is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 19.37% from 2014 to 2019. Walter Greenleaf, director of the Stanford VR Medical Institute, predicts that while games and video-driven VR will evolve, healthcare will be the largest market for VR technology.
With growing interest and investment, the integration of VR in the medical field may happen faster than many expect. It's not just about entertainment anymore—it's about healing, recovery, and transformation.
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