Virtual Reality (VR) technology is no longer a novelty in the medical field. We believe that its applications will continue to expand, helping more people in various ways. Today’s VR glasses are already being used to treat stroke patients, social phobias, and even assist in detoxification programs.
In some foreign countries, researchers have conducted interesting studies. For example, when a child's body is placed in a virtual environment designed for an adult, the child often behaves in a very childish way. This phenomenon shows how the brain can be "tricked" by VR, creating a sense of presence in a simulated world.
Inspired by this research, Dr. Sook-Lei Liew, an assistant professor at the University of Southern California, began exploring whether VR could help stroke patients recover. Her hypothesis was that if a patient could simulate normal movement through VR, it might enhance brain plasticity and aid in recovery.
Liew formed a research team and spent two years conducting studies. They used EEG to monitor brain activity and EMG to track muscle responses. These tools helped them determine whether the patient was actually moving or just attempting to move.
The data collected from these signals were then fed into a computer program. When the system detected a movement intention, a virtual arm in the VR environment would move accordingly. This visual feedback not only engaged the patient but also stimulated neural pathways, promoting faster recovery.
While Liew’s work is groundbreaking, she is not alone in this field. In February of last year, a Swiss company named MindMaze raised $100 million to bring VR hardware integrated with neuroscience to the market. Their plans included using VR for stroke rehabilitation.
Although VR hasn’t yet taken off in the consumer market, its potential in healthcare is becoming increasingly clear. Medical schools are now using VR for training, and even midwives use it to practice childbirth scenarios.
In May of this year, MindMaze announced that its VR treatment platform, MindMaze Pro, had received FDA approval to enter the U.S. market. The platform was launched in Europe in 2013 and has completed clinical trials involving 261 patients.
Beyond stroke, VR is also being used to treat social anxiety disorders. Xu Yifeng, dean of the Shanghai Mental Health Center, said that VR is especially well-suited for psychiatric applications. Traditional treatments required patients to imagine situations on their own, which was subjective and inconsistent. With VR, patients can immerse themselves in controlled environments, making therapy more effective and personalized.
Other applications include a VR app developed by MIT for Alzheimer’s patients, which uses familiar images and music to trigger memories. An Israeli startup has also created a VR physiotherapy product approved by the FDA as a medical aid.
In China, VR is being used in drug rehabilitation centers. A “VR detoxification system†has been implemented in Zhejiang, targeting ice addiction. Patients undergo six VR sessions, each containing different therapeutic scenarios such as relapse prevention, aversion therapy, and regression techniques. According to reports, the system has shown effectiveness in reducing cravings by 98.1%.
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 gaming and video-driven VR will evolve, healthcare will be the largest market for VR.
With growing interest and investment, the adoption of VR in medicine may happen faster than we expect. Its ability to improve patient outcomes, reduce costs, and offer innovative therapies makes it a promising tool for the future of healthcare.
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