MieronVR Blog | Transforming Health Outcomes with VRNT

Half of all American’s will require at least 3 months of physical therapy at some point in their lives.  The list of issues that require physical therapy is extensive. Whether you got hurt playing a sport, in a vehicular accident, or need help after a long convalescence, you want a therapeutic plan that maximizes the outcomes, improves things as quickly as possible, and does so with a minimum of pain and stress. Healthcare industry looks to innovative solutions more than ever before, and virtual reality has become a promising option for this field. Virtual Reality provides a new opportunity for physical therapy patients to get the help they need in a convenient, comfortable, and comprehensive way that supports them every step of the way toward recovery. Specialized VR experiences typicaly denoted as “Virtual Reality NeuroTherapy” or VRNT, indicate therapeutic immersive experiences created for these applications.  Whether you are doing Physical Therapy with a provider or at home, VR & VRNT provide advanced solutions to help the trainee achieve more of their therapy goals.

When COVID-19 took hold, like the rest of the world, our team found ourselves in unchartered territory.  While adjusting to our new normal, we continued to immerse ourselves in seminars, analyze hundreds of pages of government documents and Executive Orders, and collaborate with Mieron healthcare providers to learn how our health systems were transforming to remote care.

To say that 2020 has been challenging would be an understatement.  Our families, friends and colleagues have all been affected by COVID-19, social unrest and most overwhelmingly, trying to maintain our mental wellness through the ups and downs of this unprecedented year.

What is FES?

FES stands for Functional Electrical Stimulation.  In cases of spinal cord injury, paralysis, Parkinson’s, Cerebral Palsy, or other neurological conditions that affect motor function, electrical stimulation can help restore lost function.  In the case of stationary bikes that incorporate FES, the electrical stimulation helps the user pedal the bicycle, activating the muscles and increasing blood flow.  It helps prevent muscles from atrophying and other secondary health hazards that can result from the underuse of certain parts of the body.

For people with spinal cord injuries, stroke, or other conditions that affect mobility, gait therapy is often a key part of rehabilitation.   Robot-assisted therapy, like Lokomat™, enables effective and intensive training and ensures the optimal exploitation of neuroplasticity and recovery potential.

What is Pain Management?

Pain, especially chronic pain, is very difficult to live with.  Millions struggle with some degree of chronic pain every day.  An entire medical subfield exists to diagnose and treat both the symptoms and underlying causes of many types of pain.

Using Virtual Reality NeuroTherapy (VRNT) With A Stander

Virtual Reality has impacted more than just the entertainment industry. With the growing importance of home physiotherapy, VR telehealth systems like MieronVR have grown in popularity. The ability for people with varying degrees of paralysis, mobility and stability issues, dexterity, chronic pain, and other disabling conditions to experience at home PT increases the opportunity for the type of rehabilitation or care they need, improves compliance, and even makes the entire process more fun and rewarding.