VR glasses as medical aids: more precise training, better treatment

VR glasses as a medical tool? What sounds like science fiction is already a reality in clinics. Whether in therapy, rehabilitation or as an aid in everyday life - virtual reality (VR) as a wearable is changing medical practice. Patients are immersed in interactive treatment environments and receive precise navigation aids in real time.

This opens up new possibilities for diagnostics, therapy and patient care. We take a look at the technological advances that make these systems so powerful and the potential that their integration into digital healthcare offers.

VR wearables offer more than just virtual worlds – high-resolution 4K micro-displays enable realistic virtual environments, while eye tracking accurately captures eye movements. Sensors measure body movements in real time so that VR wearables enable interactive medical applications. Supplemented by haptic feedback that simulates vibrations or pressure, an intense, realistic experience is created.

Intelligent software enhances this effect: AI-supported systems analyze movements in real time and adapt therapy approaches individually. Cloud technologies can be used to process and store large amounts of data and network it with other digital health solutions, such as telemedicine platforms or wearables like smartwatches.

Modern VR wearables also score highly in terms of mobility and ergonomic design. Lightweight designs, wireless connections and optimized battery life ensure comfortable, long-lasting use - a decisive advantage for medical applications.

There are many possible applications for VR wearables in medicine:

Therapy for addiction disorders: At the Asklepios clinics in Hamburg, Germany, VR glasses are used specifically in addiction therapy to confront those affected with addiction-inducing stimuli in virtual environments. The simulated scenarios show places where the craving for addictive substances is triggered. Under therapeutic guidance, those affected learn how to deal with these triggers and develop alternative behaviors.

The advantage of VR technology is its immersive effect. Alissa Diercksen, psychologist on the addiction ward at Asklepios Westklinikum, emphasizes: "The virtual but realistic environment promotes the patients' imagination, which is often not sufficiently developed in conventional role-playing games." This method enables those affected to learn and train new coping strategies that will later help them to master addiction-triggering situations in everyday life.

Fall prevention: Falls are one of the most common health risks for older people and people with balance problems. AR glasses for fall prevention use augmented reality and machine learning to identify potential dangers at an early stage. Integrated cameras record the surroundings and analyze obstacles. In the event of imminent danger, visual overlays, acoustic cues or vibrations are used to provide a warning. Dr. Lorenz Assländer from the University of Konstanz explains: "One possibility, for example, would be a kind of grid or checkerboard pattern that is also displayed without being distracting." This technology not only reduces the risk of falling, but also increases independence in everyday life.

Physiotherapy and occupational therapy: Rehabilitation after injuries or neurological disorders can be lengthy and challenging. This is where CUREO, a VR-supported therapy platform from CUREosity GmbH, comes in. VR-supported rehabilitation enables patients to improve their motor skills in a targeted manner. The combination of gamification and real-time tracking increases motivation and therapy success - a decisive advantage over conventional exercises.

The platform uses precise movement tracking via cameras and gyroscopes to analyze the exact execution of the exercises. AI-supported algorithms evaluate the movements in real time and adapt the training program to individual progress. This type of therapy not only increases motivation, but also specifically promotes motor skills and neuronal plasticity.

The integration of VR wearables into the digital healthcare infrastructure offers considerable potential.

VR wearables are already established in various areas of medicine. Their ability to individualize and refine treatments holds enormous potential. Challenges such as latency times, data protection and system integration still need to be overcome before they can be established across the board. If this succeeds, VR wearables could become a permanent fixture in everyday medical practice - as a powerful tool for diagnosis, treatment and patient care.