Application of virtual reality technology in clinical medicine

Abstract

The present review discusses the application of virtual reality (VR) technology in clinical medicine, especially in surgical training, pain management and therapeutic treatment of mental illness. We introduce the common types of VR simulators and their operational principles in aforementioned fields. The clinical effects are also discussed. In almost every study that dealt with VR simulators, researchers have arrived at the same conclusion that both doctors and patients could benefit from this novel technology. Moreover, advantages and disadvantages of the utilization of VR technology in each field were discussed, and the future research directions were proposed.

Keywords: Virtual reality; clinical medicine; pain management; psychological diseases; surgical training.

Figure 1

Four kinds of VR simulators for laparoscopic training. MIST VR (A), Lap Mentor (B), Lap Sim (C), and Simendo (D).

Figure 2

Operation interface of four simulators. MIST VR: Realistic image data and simulated vital sign (A), Lap Mentor: Basic knotting training (B), Lap Sim: Clipping and cutting off training (C), and Simendo: Stretching with misorientation training (D).

Figure 3

VR simulators for arthroscopy training. Operation interface of Procedicus VA simulator, the localization and manipulation of shoulder arthroscopy in vitro (A) and in vivo (B); and platform of Insight Arthro VR Shoulder and Knee Simulator (C).

Figure 4

The platform of TraumaVision fractured femur orthopedic simulator (A) and its interface, including the placement of internal fixation for the treatment of femoral neck fractures and the imaging data of the spine (B).

Figure 5

General view of Geomagic Touch X (A) and its interface, it can simulate drilling operation on bone tissue, and the operator can perform the operation in three-dimensional space (B).

Figure 6

Immersive virtual environment created by the VR equipment [69], an image of the 3D virtual world named SnowWorld. Image by Stephen Dagadakis, U.W., copyright Hunter Hoffman, U.W. (A) and non-immersive virtual environment created by the VR equipment [62], a personal-computer-based desktop virtual reality system for mirror visual feedback therapy. The arm on the affected side (right) and the targets appear in the virtual environment (B).

Figure 7

Virtual environment for different symptoms specifically [74], a virtual environment of a plaza created by D. Horváthová and V. Siládi using Blener 3D (A), a virtual environment of a birthday party created by G Lorenzo et al using Vizard program (B), and a child interacted with virtual person [75] (C).