Below are the top stories from DocWire News regarding applications of virtual reality (VR) in healthcare. Innovations included in this review use VR to navigate patient’s blood vessels, train nurses, detect Alzheimer’s disease, and more. Read on to learn more about the growing field and stay tuned for news regarding the technology.
1: VR Letting Radiologists Navigate Catheters Through Patient’s Blood Vessels
Recent research has utilized VR to let physicians see the inside of patient’s blood vessels in 3D during operation. The study, conducted by the University of Washington Medical Center, demonstrated how a catheter with electromagnetic sensors could be steered by the physician using this technology.
2: Efficiency of VR in Treating Autistic Fears and Phobias
A recent study has shown the efficacy of VR in assisting those with autism in dealing with their fears and phobias. Specifically, children with autism have been observed to be nearly 45% free from these phobias six months after treatment, and a separate study showed for the first time that VR treatment holds effective in autistic adults as well.
3. Using VR Navigation Tests to Detect Alzheimer’s Many Years in Advance
A group of researchers is planning to utilize VR in diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease patients much earlier than currently possible. With VR’s ability to test navigational skills of users, these scientists believe that the technology will be optimal for pinpointing those who are more at risk of dementia. Those who do poorly on the test are deemed most likely to develop Alzheimer’s later in life, so these researchers believe.
4. VRHealth to Launch Virtual Reality System that Alleviates Hot Flashes
VRHealth, a medical technology company focusing on VR products and data analysis, has recently announced it will be offering a system that alleviates hot flashes. Luna, the new artificial intelligence (AI) therapist, will be available on the VRHealth platform starting in January of 2019. With many patients going through menopause or chemotherapy treatments being affected negatively by hot flashes, VRHealth is offering an innovative remedy for these individuals’ symptoms.
5. Janssen Uses VR to Train Nurses in Giving First Cancer Treatment
Janssen, a pharmaceutical company under Johnson & Johnson, has designed a VR simulation that is designed to train nurses. The system simulates a clinical setting in which nurses use tools and interface to administer medications to a virtual patient. The system was named Most Valuable HCP Initiative at EyeforPharma’s annual awards ceremony this year in Barcelona, Spain.
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