When rehabilitation becomes an experience
Rehabilitation requires consistency, concentration and a willingness to repeatedly perform movements that are often very similar. For some patients, motivation can be one of the biggest challenges.
Virtual reality can place exercises in an environment that is more natural, interesting and enjoyable for the patient. Instead of simply repeating a movement, for example, they carry out a specific task in a virtual environment. They receive immediate feedback and can monitor their own progress.
However, the VR Medical system is not intended solely for entertainment. It is a certified medical device that enables the therapist to tailor exercises to the individual patient, their diagnosis and functional limitations.
When technology helps overcome a reluctance to move
One of the most interesting benefits of virtual reality may be its ability to change the way a patient perceives rehabilitation.
In practice, for example, there was the case of a patient who had been attending rehabilitation for a long time but had very little motivation to exercise actively. Initially, he was even resistant to virtual reality.
However, after trying out various applications, it proved possible to find activities that matched his interests. Virtual fishing or playing the drums suddenly created an environment in which he began to engage in movement spontaneously. His motivation gradually increased, and by the next therapy session he was already able to exercise whilst standing.
It is precisely situations like these that demonstrate that the significance of technology need not lie solely in the exercise itself. It can help to change the patient’s relationship with movement.
