Applications Of Virtual And Augmented Reality For Health And Wellbeing

"Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality has tremendous opportunities in various domains and therefore exploring the ongoing research at both national and international level is necessary"--

The convergence of Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) has transcended the boundaries of gaming and entertainment, emerging as tools in healthcare and wellbeing. At the heart of recent research-driven exploration lies the recognition of a critical gap in healthcare education. However, amid the promising potential of AR and VR, a need for more comprehensive research has thus far limited the capacity of these technologies to optimize physical, psychological, and social wellbeing. Through the ingenious use of AR, Applications of Virtual and Augmented Reality for Health and Wellbeing spotlights the fusion of virtual learning experiences with tangible real-world scenarios, addressing the educational challenges that have long hindered the development of effective healthcare competencies. This book embarks on an academic journey into this transformative landscape, delving into the intricate tapestry of AR and VR technologies and their applications. It unfurls an inclusive discourse encompassing accessibility considerations, the integration of artificial intelligence within AR/VR paradigms, cross-disciplinary applications, and tangible real-world use cases that underscore the transformational impact of these technologies. As a compendium of solutions to real-world challenges, the book channels the collective wisdom of researchers, offering an invaluable reference guide to professionals at the vanguard of AR/VR innovation. Distinguished voices from academia, industry, and gaming converge within the pages, catering to an eclectic audience, including research scholars, educators, industry practitioners, and gaming enthusiasts.

Within the last few years, devices that are increasingly capable of offering an immersive experience close to reality have emerged. As devices decrease in size, the interest and application possibilities for them increase. In the healthcare sector, there is an enormous potential for virtual reality development, as this technology allows, on the one hand, the execution of operations or processes at a distance, decoupling realities; and on the other hand, it offers the possibility of simulation for training purposes, whenever there are contexts of risk to the patient or to the health professional. However, virtual reality devices and immersion in virtual environments still requires some improvement as complaints such as headaches and nausea are still common among users, and so continuous research and development is critical to progress the technology. Emerging Advancements for Virtual and Augmented Reality in Healthcare synthesizes the trends, best practices, methodologies, languages, and tools used to implement virtual reality and create a positive user experience while also discussing how to implement virtual reality into day-to-day work with a focus on healthcare professionals and related areas. The application possibilities and their impact are transversal to all areas of health and fields such as education, training, surgery, pain management, physical rehabilitation, stroke rehabilitation, phobia therapy, and telemedicine. Covering topics such as mental health treatment and virtual simulations, it is ideal for medical professionals, engineers, computer scientists, researchers, practitioners, managers, academicians, teachers, and students.

Showcases the latest trends in new virtual/augmented reality healthcare and medical applications and provides an overview of the economic, psychological, educational and organizational impacts of these new applications and how we work, teach, learn and provide care. With the current advances in technology innovation, the field of medicine and healthcare is rapidly expanding and, as a result, many different areas of human health diagnostics, treatment and care are emerging. Wireless technology is getting faster and 5G mobile technology allows the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) to greatly improve patient care and more effectively prevent illness from developing. This book provides an overview and review of the current and anticipated changes in medicine and healthcare due to new technologies and faster communication between users and devices. The groundbreaking book presents state-of-the-art chapters on many subjects including: A review of the implications of Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) healthcare applications A review of current augmenting dental care An overview of typical human-computer interaction (HCI) that can help inform the development of user interface designs and novel ways to evaluate human behavior to responses in VR and other new technologies A review of telemedicine technologies Building empathy in young children using augmented reality AI technologies for mobile health of stroke monitoring & rehabilitation robotics control Mobile doctor brain AI App An artificial intelligence mobile cloud computing tool Development of a robotic teaching aid for disabled children Training system design of lower limb rehabilitation robot based on virtual reality

Medical and technological organizations have recently developed therapy and assistance solutions that venture beyond what is considered conventional for individuals with various mental health conditions and behavioral disorders such as autism, Down syndrome, Alzheimer’s disease, anxiety disorders, phobias, and learning difficulties. Through the use of virtual and augmented reality, researchers are working to provide alternative therapy methods to treat these conditions, while studying the long-term effects the treatment has on patients. Virtual and Augmented Reality in Mental Health Treatment provides innovative insights into the use and durability of virtual reality as a treatment for various behavioral and emotional disorders and health problems. The content within this publication represents the work of e-learning, digital psychology, and quality of care. It is designed for psychologists, psychiatrists, professionals, medical staff, educators, and researchers, and covers topics centered on medical and therapeutic applications of artificial intelligence and simulated environment.

There is a tremendous interest among researchers for the development of virtual, augmented reality and games technologies due to their widespread applications in medicine and healthcare. To date the major applications of these technologies include medical simulation, telemedicine, medical and healthcare training, pain control, visualisation aid for surgery, rehabilitation in cases such as stroke, phobia and trauma therapies. Many recent studies have identified the benefits of using Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality or serious games in a variety of medical applications. This research volume on Virtual, Augmented Reality and Serious Games for Healthcare 1 offers an insightful introduction to the theories, development and applications of virtual, augmented reality and digital games technologies in medical and clinical settings and healthcare in general. It is divided into six sections: section one presents a selection of applications in medical education and healthcare management; Section two relates to the nursing training, health literacy and healthy behaviour; Section three presents the applications of Virtual Reality in neuropsychology; Section four includes a number of applications in motor rehabilitation; Section five aimed at therapeutic games for various diseases; and the final section presents the applications of Virtual Reality in healing and restoration. This book is directed to the healthcare professionals, scientists, researchers, professors and the students who wish to explore the applications of virtual, augmented reality and serious games in healthcare further.

The integration of Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) with Artificial Intelligence (AI) has immense potential to have beneficial effects for institutions of healthcare and medical education. However, this integration has become so complex, it presents numerous challenges across various domains. Researchers and practitioners often need help to keep pace with the rapid advancements of technologies and applications. Issues such as privacy, security, scalability, and optimization of AR/VR setups remain critical concerns for healthcare industry professionals and academics alike. There needs to be a comprehensive resource that addresses these challenges, if we expect the field to grow in an effective and responsible manner. Modern Technology in Healthcare and Medical Education: Blockchain, IoT, AR, and VR offers a solution to these challenges. By providing insights from researchers and experts in the field, this book serves as a valuable reference for addressing real-world problems. This book is a must-have resource for doctoral and post-doctoral researchers, undergraduate and postgraduate students, industry professionals, and government agencies working in AR/VR. It provides a roadmap for future research and development in this rapidly evolving field. It covers a wide range of topics, including enhancements in AR/VR, AI integration, task-specific training, and applications in healthcare and education.