A glimpse of the multiple applications of virtual reality

A growing number of clinical trials and laboratory studies have examined the role of immersive virtual reality (VR) in medical and nonmedical contexts, especially in pain management. By creating a sense of presence and immersion, in addition to an experience of embodiment and interactivity, VR has excellent potential for improving clinical outcomes. Evidence from laboratory studies and clinical trials supports VR capability to enhance experimental pain tolerance as well as reduce clinical acute pain, chronic pain, and anxiety. By applying the principles of embodiment, virtual rehabilitation programs can facilitate adaptive body movements in chronic pain patients. Applying VR to educational contexts, VRenhanced training allows students and healthcare professionals to be trained in realistic contexts prior to interacting with patients and realworld circumstances. Future advances in VRbased technology, group counseling, monitoring, and educational training will result in more widespread applications of VR in medical and nonmedical environments.