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Robots, virtual reality and artificial intelligence are key elements of current technological advances. Of course, many innovators have found new ways to connect these versatile technologies to physical and mental therapy, and today many of these applications have become viable alternatives to traditional therapeutic care.
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
In this article, we'll look at five ways robotics and virtual reality headsets are being used in various forms of healing, mental health improvement, and transformative care. As more of these practical applications are implemented, effective therapies will become much more accessible to people around the world, even from remote locations.
1. Evaluation of motor function
Robots have always been part of the world of physical therapy. As a result, even fictional media have conjured up images of cyborgs for years. However, the recent addition of virtual reality to robotics has made rehabilitation robots much more efficient, providing patients and doctors with real-time visual, tactile and auditory feedback to enhance the effects of therapeutic exercises. This response can promote physical health and improve mental motivation, which is often a difficult obstacle to overcome.
Likewise, AI-enhanced robotics can detect improvements that are invisible to the naked eye. Although the physical therapist may not be able to note any improvement in movement, these devices are better able to detect small, subtle movements that may indicate progress. With this data, healthcare providers can better understand a patient's path to recovery, improve their prognosis, and develop more effective treatment plans.
With the addition of virtual reality, patients can even simulate real-life activities, such as driving a car or walking down the street, to assess practical motor skills. Immersion in a play environment can help patients learn their motor skills for daily activities from the comfort of their homes.
2. Prosthetic enhancement
While prosthetics are certainly nothing new, "smart" prosthetics are improving the quality of life for patients who have suffered stroke, traumatic brain injury and other conditions that have affected their mobility. For example, robotic exoskeletons of the future may increasingly connect to brain-computer interfaces that allow patients to control the movement of their prosthetics and other devices with their brains.
These advances could make prosthetics more natural, reducing the learning curve associated with figuring out how to move with prosthetics. Patients can return to sports, writing and functioning more quickly, allowing them to reap the mental health benefits that come with returning to normal life.
3. Improving exposure therapy
Modern technology is useful for more than just relieving physical ailments. It can also support mental health. Many therapists have already implemented virtual reality therapy as a treatment for anxiety, phobias and even PTSD. Like somatic therapy, a practice that helps process trauma by working with bodily sensations and painful memories, virtual reality therapy can help patients face their fears in a safe and controlled environment.
This therapeutic use of virtual reality can be especially beneficial for children, who will be able to enjoy an immersive treatment from the comfort of their homes. Children can easily remove the headphones when they need a break or dive into the immersive world when they are ready, which can increase their sense of security during treatment. However, parents should be aware of VR safety precautions such as avoiding narrow stairs and debris to prevent accidents.
4. We make robotic therapy possible
Although professional psychotherapists still play an important role in the treatment of mental illness, advances in robotics and artificial intelligence have made supportive therapeutic treatment much more accessible and effective.
For example, the Tapia communication robot is now integrated with human emotions. It is able to detect changes in human emotions while interacting with people, making speech recognition robots much more powerful. Other robotics companies are developing living tissue for use with robots, making them look and feel more human.
As new technologies like Tapia develop, robotic therapy may become a viable solution for patients who cannot afford in-person or virtual therapy sessions. As a tool based solely on AI text chats, patients can receive personalized recommendations and directions based on their responses and tone of voice. Patients can talk to these robots, and possibly AI bots in virtual reality simulations, about problems they face in their lives.
5. Calm patients with the help of robotic companions
Loneliness is an epidemic in the world of mental health, and robotic companions have intrigued many providers. But while companion robots are largely limited to responsive robots like the seal-illuminating PARO, new AI and virtual reality technology could bring companion-based therapy into the metaverse and make interactions more realistic. .
Companion robots, like Amazon's upcoming Astro robot, can also serve a useful purpose. Robotic home assistants can be of great help to mental health, as they can remind patients to take their medications, complete daily tasks and take care of themselves. The future for companion robots looks bright.
Robots and virtual reality are the future of therapy.
Although therapy, especially psychotherapy, has not often been associated with robots or virtual reality in the past, the widespread use of this technology is becoming more apparent. Today and in the future, these immersive smart solutions can make mental and physical therapy much more accessible and effective to improve medical practice in the future.
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Last update: November 7, 2022
The post Five Therapeutic Uses of Robots and Virtual Reality appeared first on Techaeris.