The highlights:
- Virtual reality (VR) has been shown to boost patient motivation and engagement with their treatment.
- VR can push patients to train longer, harder, and with greater intensity, leading to better rehabilitation outcomes.
- By allowing clinicians to maximize their skilled time and incorporate dual-task training, VR can optimize treatment efficiency and effectiveness.
Virtual reality (VR) is revolutionizing rehabilitation in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), offering innovative solutions to common clinical challenges. As the evidence supporting VR in skilled rehab grows, it’s clear that this technology can reshape patient care and outcomes. Let’s dive into how incorporating VR into therapy has the potential to transform rehab in the SNF space.
The Growing Evidence for VR in Skilled Nursing
VR has been studied for a variety of diagnoses, including stroke1, Parkinson’s disease2, multiple sclerosis3, dementia4, and pain5. Over the years, research has consistently shown VR’s potential to enhance patient engagement and motivation while increasing the repetitions and duration of exercise—critical factors in successful rehabilitative outcomes.
Key Benefits of VR in SNF Settings
Enhancing Patient Engagement
One of the more challenging aspects of skilled nursing rehab is keeping patients engaged and motivated6 to participate in treatment. The immersive nature of VR creates a welcome distraction for many patients, allowing them to push their limits while experiencing something new, exciting, and even fun.
Motivating Longer, More Effective Sessions
In addition to boosting patient engagement, incorporating VR into therapy sessions has also shown a remarkable ability to motivate patients to train longer, harder, and at a greater intensity. This is a recipe for maximizing therapeutic benefits and accelerating recovery.
Improving Mood
Beyond the physical benefits, VR can positively impact patients’ overall well-being. There is evidence that patients who use VR experience mood improvements and reductions in apathy7. Improved mood resulting from VR experiences can significantly influence engagement and recovery, addressing both physical and emotional aspects of healing.
Optimizing Therapy Efficiency and Effectiveness
Dual-Task Training
VR offers an excellent opportunity to introduce dual-task training, where patients work on one activity while simultaneously engaging in other tasks (cognitive or motor). This approach has been shown to be beneficial for postural control, mobility, and cognitive functions88.
Maximizing Skilled Time
For clinicians, VR offers a clinically effective means to maximize patients’ therapy sessions. Therapists can focus on modifying patient parameters to optimize each individual’s exercises, ensuring every minute of therapy is as productive as possible.
Embracing the Future of Skilled Rehabilitation
There is no question that, when used thoughtfully, virtual reality is making a positive impact on patient outcomes. By embracing the potential of VR, skilled nursing facilities can offer more engaging, effective, and efficient therapy programs that reimagine the entire rehabilitation experience.
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