Go Virtual to Get Real: Virtual Reality As a Resource for Spinal Cord Treatment

Overview

Journal Int J Environ Res Public Health

Publisher MDPI

Specialties Environmental Health
Public Health

Date 2021 Mar 6

PMID 33668438

Citations 11

Authors

Erik Leemhuis

Rita Maria Esposito

Luigi De Gennaro

Mariella Pazzaglia

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Increasingly, refined virtual reality (VR) techniques allow for the simultaneous and coherent stimulation of multiple sensory and motor domains. In some clinical interventions, such as those related to spinal cord injuries (SCIs), the impact of VR on people's multisensory perception, movements, attitudes, and even modulations of socio-cognitive aspects of their behavior may influence every phase of their rehabilitation treatment, from the acute to chronic stages. This work describes the potential advantages of using first-person-perspective VR to treat SCIs and its implications for manipulating sensory-motor feedback to alter body signals. By situating a patient with SCI in a virtual environment, sensorial perceptions and motor intention can be enriched into a more coherent bodily experience that also promotes processes of neural regeneration and plasticity. In addition to the great potential of research, the most significant areas of interest concern is managing neuropathic pain, motor rehabilitation, and psychological well-being.

Citing Articles

Immediate effect of alone and combined virtual reality, gait-like muscle vibration and transcranial direct current stimulation on neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury: a pilot study.

Sabalette P, Dube N, Menard P, Labelle M, Laramee M, Higgins J Spinal Cord Ser Cases. 2024; 10(1):83.

PMID: 39730369 PMC: 11680929. DOI: 10.1038/s41394-024-00696-5.

Virtual Reality as a Therapeutic Tool in Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation: A Comprehensive Evaluation and Systematic Review.

Scalise M, Bora T, Zancanella C, Safa A, Stefini R, Cannizzaro D J Clin Med. 2024; 13(18).

PMID: 39336916 PMC: 11432221. DOI: 10.3390/jcm13185429.

Do Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury Benefit from Semi-Immersive Virtual Reality Cognitive Training? Preliminary Results from an Exploratory Study on an Underestimated Problem.

Maggio M, Bonanno M, Manuli A, Onesta M, De Luca R, Quartarone A Brain Sci. 2023; 13(6).

PMID: 37371423 PMC: 10296140. DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13060945.

Integrated Neuroregenerative Techniques for Plasticity of the Injured Spinal Cord.

Leemhuis E, Favieri F, Forte G, Pazzaglia M Biomedicines. 2022; 10(10).

PMID: 36289825 PMC: 9599452. DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10102563.

Future Treatment of Neuropathic Pain in Spinal Cord Injury: The Challenges of Nanomedicine, Supplements or Opportunities?.

Forte G, Giuffrida V, Scuderi A, Pazzaglia M Biomedicines. 2022; 10(6).

PMID: 35740395 PMC: 9219608. DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10061373.

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