Virtual Reality (VR) technology has made significant strides in recent years, transforming several industries, including healthcare. From training medical professionals to treating patients, VR is becoming increasingly popular across the healthcare sector. Although it has many advantages, VR has limitations that must be considered. In this blog post, we'll explore the advantages and limitations of VR technology, and some exciting use cases in healthcare.
Advantages of VR in healthcare
Improved medical training
VR technology allows medical students and professionals to learn and practice complex medical procedures in a simulated environment. According to a study by the University of Maryland Medical Center, medical students who trained using VR were more confident and had a better command of the procedure than their peers who trained using traditional methods. VR technology enables students to practice rare procedures repeatedly without the risk of harming live patients.
Pain management
VR has been found to be an effective tool for managing pain, primarily chronic pain. According to a study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research, patients who used VR to manage their pain reported a significant reduction in pain and anxiety levels.
Treatment of mental health conditions
VR is increasingly being used to treat mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression. Patients are exposed to virtual environments that simulate real-life situations that trigger their symptoms, and they are guided through techniques to manage their symptoms.
Limitations of VR in healthcare
Cost
One of the significant drawbacks of VR technology is its cost. The devices and software required for VR are expensive, making it difficult for healthcare organizations to adopt it on a large scale.
Health and safety concerns
VR technology could present health and safety concerns, such as inducing motion sickness, dizziness, and eyestrain. Although VR is generally safe, long-term effects of prolonged use are not yet known.
Lack of regulatory framework
VR technology in healthcare is relatively new, and there is no established regulatory framework. The lack of guidelines and standards for VR technology in healthcare makes it challenging to integrate into the healthcare ecosystem.
Exciting use cases of VR in healthcare
Pain management for burn patients
According to a research article published in Pain Management Nursing, burn patients who used VR to manage their pain required significantly less pain medication than those who used traditional pain management techniques.
Rehabilitation
VR technology is being utilized to help stroke and other neurorehabilitation patients regain their motor skills. In a study published by the Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy, using VR in rehabilitative therapy resulted in improved balance and gait in stroke patients.
Medical training
VR technology can simulate rare medical cases and help medical students and professionals get hands-on experience with procedures that may not be available otherwise.
Conclusion
Virtual Reality (VR) technology has made significant strides in healthcare, with its ability to train medical professionals, manage pain, and treat mental health conditions. However, the cost, health and safety concerns, and lack of regulatory frameworks for VR in healthcare are limitations that must be considered. Nevertheless, the exciting use cases in healthcare, such as pain management for burn patients, rehabilitation, and medical training, offer a glimpse of the potential of VR technology in healthcare.
References:
- University of Maryland. (2017, March 13). Virtual reality advances rehabilitation and sports medicine. ScienceDaily. Retrieved August 15, 2021, from https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/03/170313092019.htm
- Flores, A., Lineberry, M., Jensen, M., & Youdas, J. (2018). Use of virtual reality distraction to reduce claustrophobia symptoms during a mock magnetic resonance imaging brain scan: a case report. Frontiers in Psychology, 9, 1052.
- Hoffman, H. G., Chambers, G. T., Meyer III, W. J., Arceneaux, L. L., Russell, W. J., Seibel, E. J. et al. (2011). Virtual reality as an adjunctive non-pharmacologic analgesic for acute burn pain during medical procedures. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 41(2), 183-191.
- Rosen, K. R. (2018). Virtual reality applications in mental health: challenges and perspectives. Psychology Research and Behavior Management, 11, 113-120.
- Otte, I., Nyenhuis, N., Muhlberger, A., Tuller, D., & Diemer, J. (2018). The influence of gender and culture on spatial presence in virtual reality. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 21(11), 695-700.
- Laver, K. E., George, S., Thomas, S., Deutsch, J. E., Crotty, M. (2015). Virtual reality for stroke rehabilitation. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2: CD008349.