It appears like virtual reality (VR) has reached everywhere—right at the doctor’s office as well. The technology behind VR can position one in the world of space, fantasy, or even the post-apocalypse if one wishes. However, now a team of therapists is showing the made-up spaces don’t need to be related to gaming—and the technology has more prospective to heal than earlier considered. Now, scientists at the University of Colorado, Boulder, are utilizing immersive VR technology to assist those who suffer from depression, irrational fears, and anxiety, by positioning the user into the circumstances that cause their fears, or moods, to break out.
The Director of the University’s Counseling and Psychiatric Services, Monica Ng, evaluates VR therapy against some types of cognitive behavioral therapy—that concentrates on changing and challenging what she calls unsupportive behaviors & thoughts and enhancing the development of dealing strategies particularly targeted toward resolving issues in their lives. The variation is that VR therapy enables the patient to hone on those problem-solving abilities in a secure place.
The developers state they are anticipating to release it at other schools as well and as VR becomes more accessible and widespread, it could ultimately become a section of a new standard set of practices when it comes to treating anxiety and depression. However, they also warned that VR is not for everybody. One of the major downsides is a sort of motion sickness that occurs when eyes of the user inform their brain they are stirring around in a setting, but the body is not really stirring.
Likewise, virtual Reality technology is likely to turn out an effective tool for elderly with balance issues or for rehabilitation after illness or injuries that have an effect on movement and balance. In new research, scientists from Lund University have examined how the human balance system is impacted by watching VR videos.
