VR Therapy used to treat Chronic Pain and other Cognitive Disorders
In an article posted on APA PsychNet, sponsored by the
American Psychological Association, [research} "suggest that virtual reality distraction is a highly effective [form of] pain intervention." The article concludes, "Clinicians may wish to consider virtual reality distraction as a promising treatment choice for patients who suffer from pain."
Another article posted on the Geriatric Psychology website claims that research using Virtual Reality Cognitive Training (VRTC) produces positive results for patients at high risk of experiencing cognitive decline. "The cognitive domains of attention, executive function, and memory (visual and verbal) showed the most consistent improvements. The positive effects on psychological outcomes were significant reductions in depressive symptoms and anxiety, as well as improved use of memory strategy. Follow-up studies demonstrated long-term improvements in cognitive and psychological outcomes, and the intervention groups showed a plateau effect of cognitive functioning compared with the cognitive decline experienced by control groups. VRCT were moderately effective in long-term improvement of cognition for those at high risk of cognitive decline."