How is VR Technology Transforming the Future of Healthcare?

Future of Virtual Reality in Healthcare

Healthcare is one of the top five uses of virtual reality. Research has proven that virtual reality provides simulated experiences to users. It makes life easier for doctors, medical students, and even patients. From diagnosis to determining the right course of treatment, a 360-degree VR app development has proven very effective.

Many VR applications are in the pipeline around the world. Many of them are still awaiting patent approval. From this immersive technology to hyper-realistic CGI, almost anything impacts the entire healthcare system. The future of VR technology in healthcare is designed in the healthcare field.

It is also vast and very sophisticated. This article discusses the future of virtual reality technology in healthcare.

Virtual Reality in Healthcare Market Growth

Global virtual reality (VR) in healthcare market size is reported to be worth USD 3.12 billion in 2023. In 2024, this market will become USD 4.18 billion. It is estimated to be USD 46.37 billion by 2032. The CAGR shows that during the forecast period it was 35.1%.

How Virtual Reality is Shaping the Future of Healthcare

The use of virtual reality in healthcare and medicine dates back to the late 1960s. Robert Mann started using this technology. First, he created a VR platform for easy orthopedics practice. Then, this technology began to be used to treat Parkinson’s disease.

Since then, this technology has been used in every type of medical field, including pain management, dentistry, surgery, cognitive behaviour, etc. Virtual reality technology has been growing day by day. However, the role of this technology in VR healthcare is slowly changing over time.

Its use is increasing, particularly in clinical training, pre-operative practice, and pain management.

Virtual reality is an alternative world. It can create different landscapes and environments. It is a perfect way to immerse patients, which in turn improves the quality of care and patient experience.

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How Virtual Reality is Transforming Healthcare: Diagnostics, Surgery, Pain Management & More

In recent times, VR technology in healthcare has revolutionized. It introduces different innovative solutions in most of the healthcare sectors. We discuss some key ways below. VR is presently being used to enhance the efficiency of healthcare. 

Diagnostics

VR is currently being used extensively in diagnostic diagnostics in healthcare neuroscience. As noted in an article published in the Journal of Military Medicine, VR headsets are currently being used for neuro-optical diagnostics (vision and neurological diagnosis). NeuroDotVR and NeuroFieldzmay originally combined mobile VR headsets and portable brain monitoring. It is proven that VR technology is safe and controlled for the environment. It is helpful for studying the interaction of the brain and behavior.

Practicing Surgeries

VR allows the use of 3D VR models of the patient’s anatomy. It helps surgeons perform complex surgical procedures very easily. Using this technology surgeons get the opportunity to simulate actual operation theater procedures.

Now the need for cadavers in hospitals and medical colleges is greatly reduced these days. Medical faculties use this technology to explain surgical procedures to students. In addition, students can explore the interior or accessible parts of the body with clarity in 360-degree reconstructions with a VR healthcare software development.

Painless Treatments

VR has also proven its efficiency in painless treatments. Nurses can keep children busy with this technology while drawing blood from a child for a blood test. For example, children may visit virtual zoos or amusement parks while their blood is drawn. It causes them to become disoriented.

According to the report, children using VR reduced pain and anxiety compared to those receiving standard care. Relaxation-VR is a VR prototype that helps distract and relax hospitalized children (ages 4-16). This technology can reduce anxiety, stress, and pain. It is published by the National Library of Medicine. The use of VR in various hospitals is well documented.

Phobia Treatment

A VR device is a device that has the ability to generate stimuli to assess patients. As a result, it is possible to provide a safe way without any risk. For this reason, the device has become extremely popular among mental health practitioners. Height-related fear or acrophobia can be treated with VR. in this case, the virtual environment of fear is created to treat the patients.

The main symptoms of claustrophobia (fear of closed space) are dizziness, fear, shortness of breath, and severe nervousness. Now, doctors use VR to treat the condition. They usually create virtual environments like enclosed spaces. Patients can get great control, flexibility, and customization of virtual environments.

Stroke Patient Rehabilitation

MindMaze has been using virtual reality to treat stroke patients for a long time. So, they can be called global pioneers in the use of this technology. This USA-based company, The Intellify, helps with stroke management using VR headsets.

It relieves pain caused by amputation and exercises patients. VR can relieve the arm pain. VR introduces games like racing cars or fruit slicing used in arm movement problems. It makes recovery easier and more effective.

Eating Disorders

Now, virtual reality (VR) technology is increasingly being used in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). As a result, eating disorder (ED) treatment is benefiting the most. Also, this technology is helping CBT weight loss by reducing binge eating. VR provides environmental simulations to control real-life situations, including problematic eating behaviors.

When patients face these situations repeatedly, this technology can manage them perfectly. For example, doctors are now checking their patients to ensure they follow certain diets. In this case, they use the VR, resulting in significant body changes.

Addiction Treatment

In recent times, VR has also been used in addiction treatment. A company named C2Care has created a unique VR application. It has created a buzz in Addiction treatment. It helps therapists treat addictions like smoking, drugs, and alcohol. This technology simulates real-life situations associated with patient addiction.

This results in an engineered addiction environment that creates intense cravings in patients. In this treatment, the Addictive environment is created using VR. It simulates the same cognitive, emotional, and behavioral reactions of addicted patients. On this basis, therapists successfully treat patients.

Chronic Pain Management

Chronic pain can worsen the lives of huge numbers of people worldwide. In this case, people typically take OTC medications and prescription drugs. They also visit the clinic to take stimulation therapy or physiotherapy. However, a new treatment has started using virtual reality systems.

Gains huge popularity for chronic pain treatment. Recently, the US FDA authorized a unique immersive VR system named EaseVRx (medical grade). CBT is used in this treatment to reduce the different types of pain. It can treat chronic lower back pain, acute whole-body pain, etc.

Dentistry

The cost of virtual reality devices is becoming more affordable day by day. Therefore, its use in dentistry as a psychological aid is also increasing.

Dentists start to conduct different procedures including tooth extraction, cavity refills. The patients are given multi-sensory experiences or advanced isolation. According to some research reports, 8 points of anxiety related to dental procedures.

It can be reduced by using VR. An efficient virtual reality platform was introduced to treat the problem, named Dentaverse. It helps dentists to examine and analyze patients in most dental labs.

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Benefits of Virtual Reality Healthcare Apps Across Various Medical Fields

How VR healthcare apps have brought the medical field to life is discussed below.

VR in Immersive Training for Medical Professionals

Medical students need to go through years of rigorous training; It can be done through textbooks, 2D diagrams, and limited real-world practice. VR healthcare apps are designed to simulate real-life medical procedures in a 3D environment.

As a result, these are able to easily provide interactive learning experiences. Osso VR and Surgical Theatre are effective VR applications. It helps students and surgeons practice repeated complex operations. It can be done in a realistic, risk-free environment.

These VR healthcare apps allow users to step into an operating room virtually. It also helps to perform surgery. The experience can seem incredibly vivid to users. Such training can reduce the chances of mistakes and the amount of errors. Gives confidence to medical professionals to even deal with real-world cases.

Virtual Patient Consultations and Diagnostics

Telemedicine is considered a game-changer in the healthcare sector. This VR healthcare app has taken remote consultations to the next level. In this case, some unique features are used, such as 3D modeling and animation, immersive virtual consultations. It allows doctors to guide their patients in a virtual clinic. They explain the health condition and complex treatment procedures. it can be done using interactive VR 3D models.

With VR healthcare Apps like Proximie, surgeons and specialists can collaborate on surgeries and offer guidance to their patients remotely, as if they are in the operating room.

VR for Pain Management and Mental Health Therapy

VR healthcare solutions are widely used in pain management and mental health therapy. The success rate of using this app in these two sectors is also very high. VR is a powerful and efficient tool that helps patients cope with pain by immersing them in a calming virtual environment. Pain Reliever is an app that creates comfortable conditions. As a result, patients can stay away from their discomfort.

For mental health treatment, VR apps offer ground-breaking treatment processes for some of the conditions, such as PTSD, anxiety, and phobias. With Virtual Reality technology in healthcare for mental health named Bravemind, Patients are offered controlled exposure therapy in a virtual environment that simulates anxiety-inducing situations.

VR in Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy

Recovering from stroke, injury, or surgery, patients require rehabilitation. In this case, motivation can be a big challenge. VR healthcare apps incorporate gamification, to make physical therapy procedures more engaging. In this case, patients can exercise and move around in a virtual world. These sessions provide a fun, interactive game experience instead of a tedious routine.

VR healthcare apps like MindMotion assist stroke patients through several motion exercises. By offering visual feedback, patients can continue their rehabilitation at home, and which recovery rate is enhanced according to the research. You can track their movements also through this app.

VR in Patient Education and Pre-Surgical Planning

It is difficult for the patients to understand complex medical procedures or conditions. With VR technology in healthcare. You will enjoy the solution through the 3D visualizations. So, patients can understand their treatments perfectly. Now the doctor should not rely on 2D diagrams or verbal explanations, doctors can show patients a virtual simulation of the procedure or condition by using VR.

EchoPixel, an effective VR app helps doctors to create 3D representations of a patient’s anatomy using the CT and MRI scan reports. Then surgeons will be able to plan the treatment procedures by virtually navigating the patient’s organs and tissues.

VR Therapeutic Support for Dementia and Cognitive Decline

VR apps increase the chances of improving memory and cognitive functions for patients with dementia or cognitive problems. VR healthcare solutions like Mynd Rare are designed to improve the quality of life for seniors, allowing them to immerse themselves in nostalgic or therapeutic environments.

In the virtual environment, patients recall their memories, improve social interactions, and stimulate cognitive function, which helps reconnect them with meaningful aspects of their lives.

Virtual Reality in Surgery

Currently, VR is being used by doctors not only in preparation for surgery but also during live operations. Surgeons are using 3D models to visualize the patient’s anatomy during surgical procedures, increasing the rate of accurate decision-making.

Apps like Surgical Navigation Advanced Platform (SNAP) are also improving visualization in the operating room making it much easier to navigate delicate structures in complex surgeries.

Conclusion

Virtual reality in healthcare transforms the whole healthcare sector and the medical field by improving patient care and making it more accessible and understandable. From surgery and therapists to pain management, mental health, and rehabilitation, VR is making healthcare more efficient, effective, and effective.

The use of VR in healthcare is still expanding. New apps are being developed to address various medical needs. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about how VR can benefit your healthcare practice, Contact Us today.