User:Elijah Stemmer/Virtual reality applications

Virtual reality (VR) is a part of technology that allows the user to explore computer generated, real or artificial three-dimensional multimedia sensory environments in real time to gain practical knowledge that can be used in clinical practice. Virtual reality is being applied to a wide range of medical areas, including medical education, training, surgery and diagnostic assistance for heath staff. For patients it is a good way of using it for their rehabilitation and training. For example in recent years they have been using Virtual reality for therapy which is a effective novel tool for alternative treatment of anxiety disorders and specific phobias. The focus of the medical therapy is on the treating or reducing the effect of its symptoms. According to Mittal Himani, "Virtual Reality Distraction Therapy provides many levels of interactions to patients allowing the use of many senses thus encouraging them to be immersed in the virtual world experience. The higher the user’s immersion means more attention in the virtual world and less attention to other signals of pain. A research study using VR as a distraction intervention was conducted in 2 sessions over a period of 8 weeks with 28 participants." Another mentioned VR therapy area was the treatment of eating and body image disorders. For example you can make your own body image by having a subject embody avatars with different characteristics. With this you can practice these stressful situations and simulate and practice, such as grocery shopping or observing one’s own body in the mirror.