DIGITAL DIMENSIONS OF HEALING: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF VR IN PHYSICAL THERAPY
Keywords:
Innovation, Immersion, Rehabilitation, Virtual Reality, Engagement, Personalization, AssessmentAbstract
This analysis examines the integration of Virtual Reality (VR) in physical rehabilitation, shedding light on its advantages, drawbacks, and areas needing further investigation. VR has demonstrated positive impacts on mental and physical well-being, promoting adherence to therapy and enabling precise musculoskeletal evaluations. The rising usage of VR in managing chronic pain, enhancing functional abilities, muscle strength, and flexibility is noteworthy. This study primarily investigates VR's ability to heighten patient engagement and motivation in therapy. VR's immersive nature offers patients a tailored therapeutic experience, deepening their involvement during sessions. It holds the potential to individualize therapy sessions according to patients' needs and provide real-time performance feedback. A central challenge is the varying acceptance of VR among stakeholders—patients, healthcare practitioners, and administrators. The diversity in perspectives, combined with concerns over the technology's affordability, data protection, and user-friendliness, adds layers of complexity. This analysis emphasizes the need to delve deeper into the psychological dimensions of VR, including the accuracy, reliability, and sensitivity of VR-centered assessments and interventions. A thorough understanding of the hurdles in adopting VR in physical rehabilitation and its acceptance is pivotal for effective application. Though extensive research has been conducted across various demographics, there is a pressing need for broader research cohorts and extended studies to cement VR's sustained role in physical rehabilitation. For successful VR incorporation, innovative approaches, refined methodologies, and a comprehensive grasp of VR's psychological and technological intricacies are imperative.
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