Virtual Reality Treatment for Multiple Sclerosis
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Introduction[edit | edit source]
Virtual reality (VR) has become increasingly more popular in the rehabilitation of various musculoskeletal - and neurological conditions, and more and more research on VR's impact on individuals with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) has been conducted to determine the effectiveness on this specific condition.
What is Virtual Reality?[edit | edit source]
Virtual Reality (VR) is a computer-based simulation of a 3-dimensional environment in which the individual can interact with the environment by using additional electronic equipment. VR technology provides sensory stimulation and feedback, which alters brain activity and enhances neuroplasticity, as well as motor learning[1]. For this reason, research assessing the effect of VR on individuals with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) has drastically increased in the past decade.
Multiples Sclerosis[edit | edit source]
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is chronic inflammation, demyelination, and breakdown of neural tissue due to an autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system. The damaged neural structures and connections lead to numerous symptoms such as;[2]
- Pain
- Vision & hearing loss
- Impaired coordination, sensation & balance
- Impaired motor control
- Cognitive decline
- Sexual dysfunction & bladder and bowel complications
- Dysarthria
- Dysphagia
The aim of physiotherapy in individuals with Multiple Sclerosis[edit | edit source]
- Assess function, posture, and movement.
- Maintain available functional abilities, strength, ROM, balance, etc.
- Determining and retraining of missing components (eg. improving strength, balance, sensation, coordination, etc.).
- Retraining of activities of daily living (ADLs) or functional activities.
- Inhibit abnormal tone and prevent abnormal movement patterns.
The impact of VR on Multiple Sclerosis[edit | edit source]
Pain[edit | edit source]
VR technology incorporates cognitive behavioral therapy programs and therefore improving how the individual perceives their pain and their coping strategies. VR-based games also act as a distraction from painful stimuli[3].
Motor skills[edit | edit source]
Research indicates that rehabilitation utilizing this technology significantly improves motor control, sensation, coordination, balance, and postural control, more effectively when compared to traditional therapy methods[4][5][6]. The reason for this may include;
- Real-time visual and sensory stimulation and feedback.
- Increased exposure to different environments.
- Heightened motivation and engagement.
- Repetitive motions of functional tasks.
Functional activities[edit | edit source]
Virtual reality allows individuals to practice functional goals and activities in a more realistic environment (like a grocery store or walking across the street) instead of the 'ideal clinical'. setting'[7]. VR enhances confidence, performance, motivation, and engagement to perform functional tasks through;
- Repetition of activities and sub-tasks,
- Increased sensory and visual feedback.
Additional[edit | edit source]
Besides the physical aspects, VR also improves behavioral and cognitive functioning in individuals with Multiple Sclerosis by relieving symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress, commonly observed among individuals with MS.
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Massetti T, Trevizan IL, Arab C, Favero FM, Ribeiro-Papa DC, de Mello Monteiro CB. Virtual reality in multiple sclerosis–a systematic review. Multiple sclerosis and related disorders. 2016 Jul 1;8:107-12.
- ↑ Ghasemi N, Razavi S, Nikzad E. Multiple sclerosis: pathogenesis, symptoms, diagnoses and cell-based therapy. Cell Journal (Yakhteh). 2017 Apr;19(1):1.
- ↑ Malloy KM, Milling LS. The effectiveness of virtual reality distraction for pain reduction: a systematic review. Clinical psychology review. 2010 Dec 1;30(8):1011-8.
- ↑ Gutiérrez RO, Galan del Rio F, Cano de la Cuerda R, Alguacil Diego IM, González RA, Page JC. A telerehabilitation program by virtual reality-video games improves balance and postural control in multiple sclerosis patients. NeuroRehabilitation. 2013 Jan 1;33(4):545-54.
- ↑ Calabrò RS, Russo M, Naro A, De Luca R, Leo A, Tomasello P, Molonia F, Dattola V, Bramanti A, Bramanti P. Robotic gait training in multiple sclerosis rehabilitation: Can virtual reality make the difference? Findings from a randomized controlled trial. Journal of the neurological sciences. 2017 Jun 15;377:25-30.
- ↑ Eftekharsadat B, Babaei-Ghazani A, Mohammadzadeh M, Talebi M, Eslamian F, Azari E. Effect of virtual reality-based balance training in multiple sclerosis. Neurological research. 2015 Jun 1;37(6):539-44.
- ↑ Perez-Marcos D, Solazzi M, Steptoe W, Oyekoya W, Frisoli A, Weyrich T, Steed A, Tecchia F, Slater M, Sanchez-Vives MV. A fully immersive set-up for remote interaction and neurorehabilitation based on virtual body ownership. Frontiers in neurology. 2012 Jul 10;3:110.
