Leveraging the Metaverse for Enhanced Longevity as a Component of Health 4.0

Abstract

In this review, we describe evidence that supports building a metaverse to promote healthy longevity. We propose that the metaverse offers several physical advantages (architecture, music, and nature), social (accessibility, affordability, community-building, and relief of social anxiety), and therapeutic (immersive, anti-inflammatory, and adjunctive use in complementary and integrative medicine). Lifelogging by patients may help clinicians personalize interventions by matching data to therapeutic outcomes. Although the metaverse cannot entirely replace our current model of care, a strategic approach will ensure adequate resource allocation and value assessment. In a collaborative effort between Reulay, Inc and Mayo Clinic, we are building a platform for the delivery of personalized and idiographic interventions to promote healthy longevity. To this end, we are using specific science-informed art design to reduce stress and anxiety for patients, with the progressive addition of integrated care elements that connect to this framework and connect treatment response to biomarkers that are relevant to healthy longevity. This review is a commentary on the thought process behind this effort.

Figure 1

Representative images of the Mars House NFT metaverse environment. Images depict different viewpoints of the Mars House NFT with an avatar of 1 author (SSP) observing the mountains in a relaxing setting. A, View of outside landscape. B, View of interior room. C, Broad view of Mars House NFT. The NFT indicates nonfungible token. (Courtesy of Krista Kim Studio Inc; used with permission).

Figure 2

Representative image of a metaverse environment during a demonstration at the 2023 World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland. Representative avatars of some of the more than 1000 audience members who registered to watch the event asynchronously are reported. (Courtesy of Krista Kim Studio Inc; used with permission).