Dr. Maureen Simmonds, a physical therapy processer at UT Health San Antonio, has been working with virtual reality technology in order to study its impact on pain reduction in patients.
Her research involves patients wearing virtual reality goggles and sensors, and is based on the power of the mind and distraction. Each patient has virtual experiences that are tailored to their individual conditions, and the purpose is to test whether or not virtual reality experiences have an impact in reducing the amount of perceived pain patients feel. The games are designed to be either "pleasurable or relaxing," and are first tested on students who don't experience chronic pain.
The applications of virtual reality in even the most seemingly unlikely areas, like physical therapy, reveals the vast potential of this technology outside of entertainment.
VR Pain Relief Research
Dr. Maureen Simmonds Works to Relieve Pain Through Virtual Reality
Trend Themes
1. Virtual Reality Pain Relief - Virtual reality technology is being used to study its impact on pain reduction in patients.
2. Personalized Virtual Reality Therapy - Virtual experiences are tailored to the individual conditions of each patient in order to test their impact on reducing perceived pain.
3. Virtual Reality for Non-entertainment Purposes - Research into the applications of virtual reality beyond entertainment has revealed the technology's potential in physical therapy.
Industry Implications
1. Healthcare - Virtual reality technology has the potential to transform pain treatment and physical therapy for patients.
2. Gaming - Virtual reality technology, already popular in gaming, could be utilized for tailored non-entertainment purposes.
3. Technology - Research into virtual reality applications for non-entertainment purposes demonstrates the technology's potential for innovation and disruption in various industries.