VR Rehabilitation

Virtual Reality (VR) technology is no longer used only for entertainment, but has become an important instrument in medical restoration. At PYONG Rehabilitation Penthouse Clinic, floor 11, Gaysorn Tower (BTS Chidlom), we have the service of VR Rehabilitation, a programme designed for older people, patients after an attack from cerebrovascular disease, and those who want training of the brain and of perception (cognition training)

Unlike VR in general, which emphasises enjoyment, Omnifit VR Training was developed for medicine in particular, under the care of rehabilitation medicine physicians and a multidisciplinary team, so that each training session answers the need in memory, concentration, movement, and balance

The distinguishing point of PYONG is the use of VR Rehabilitation as part of a plan of restoration that is comprehensive and safe, with a team of physicians, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech correction specialists, and a complete supporting team in the heart of Bangkok

What is VR Rehabilitation?

VR Rehabilitation is the use of a virtual environment to stimulate the working of the brain and of the body together. Instead of training with traditional exercises, the patient interacts with games or activities in a virtual world designed to stimulate movement and thinking

VR Rehabilitation is a system developed for the work of restoring health directly, not for entertainment, and it can simulate situations in daily life, such as stepping and walking, reaching to pick something up, or solving a problem of memory, together with recording the data in order to follow the result of the training

The advantage of using VR is that it helps the patient take part in the training more, the difficulty can be adjusted according to the level of ability, and there is a specialist caring for them at all times, so it suits both those who have slight problems and those who have many limitations

Why VR Rehabilitation at PYONG Rehabilitation Penthouse should be chosen

At PYONG Rehabilitation Penthouse, VR Rehabilitation is not merely an additional choice, but is part of a programme of restoring the brain and the nervous system that the physician leads and for which a plan specific to the individual is designed

VR Rehabilitation differs from VR for playing in general, because it has modules designed medically, which can be used for training the brain (cognition training), restoring patients after an attack from cerebrovascular disease, and helping slow the degeneration of the brain in older people. The system can also record the results and take them to be assessed together with the physician

The VR Rehabilitation that PYONG Rehabilitation has chosen to use has a system of virtual environments in 4 modes, namely

• The mode of simulating an experience (Experience Mode), to stimulate the alertness and the perception of the brain, such as simulating the experience of travelling in a world of fantasy
• The mode of simulating travel virtually (Travel), to stimulate the part of the brain for perception and memory, through travelling in nature or in cities that really exist
• The mode of music (Music), to relax the nervous system and the brain
• The mode of meditation (Meditation), to train meditation and increase the ability to concentrate
• The mode of games (Games), to develop the concentration and the perception of the brain and the nervous system, through games in which the patient must use concentration to control a character, such as a baseball-hitting game or an arm-wrestling game

The VR Rehabilitation at PYONG Rehabilitation has forms of virtual world and games together over 100 forms

Besides this, with the location at Gaysorn Tower (BTS Chidlom), it is convenient for both patients and carers, together with the atmosphere of a penthouse-floor clinic that is quiet and private. Every training session receives care from a complete multidisciplinary team

How does VR Rehabilitation work?

Beginning with Omnifit VR Training, there is an assessment by the physician first in order to set the goal, such as training memory, training movement, or adjusting balance

The general steps of the training:

1. Preparation: a preliminary physical examination and an explanation of the steps
2. Warm-up: beginning with easy activities in a suitable mode of the virtual world, such as the meditation mode or the music mode, so that the patient adapts to VR
3. Main training: the physician and the occupational therapist choose the mode and the form of the virtual world that suits the learning of the patient, such as the games mode, the travel mode, or the experience mode
4. Summing up: closing the training together with talking with the therapist and assessing the data obtained

The patient may feel as if they are in a new environment, feeling movement or the perception of dimension. The occupational therapist cares for them closely and adjusts as is suitable. Each round takes about 20–40 minutes

The states that suit VR Rehabilitation

• Restoring movement after cerebrovascular disease
• A state of dementia, or memory in decline
• Parkinson's disease
• Restoration after an injury to the brain
• Problems of walking and of balance
• A state of dementia at the beginning stage (MCI)
• Restoring capability in older people
• Problems of coordination between the brain and the body
• Training of the brain for older people
• Restoring capability in movement at the basic level

The research that supports VR Rehabilitation

Medical evidence indicates that VR Rehabilitation may help increase effectiveness both in the body and in perception

• A review of the year 2020 in the journal Frontiers in Neurology found that VR may help patients with cerebrovascular disease recover in balance and in walking better than ordinary training
• Research of the year 2019 in the Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation reported that training the brain with VR helps increase memory and the skill of planning in older people
• A combined analysis of the year 2021 in Clinical Rehabilitation found that VR helps increase motivation and continuity in training, which is an important factor of restoration in the long term

Although VR is not a replacement for standard treatment, it is an additional instrument that has value under the supervision of a physician

How often should VR Rehabilitation be done?

The frequency depends on the disease and the goal of each person. Generally, patients of the brain and the nervous system often obtain a result from training 2–3 times a week

Patients with cerebrovascular disease at the beginning stage may receive the recommendation to train more often (3–5 times/week), while older people who want to train the brain in order to slow degeneration may not need to do it frequently, but should maintain regularity

At PYONG, the physician designs a timetable that suits the health and the energy of each individual, so that a result is obtained without causing too much tiredness

When will a result be seen?

Some people may feel alert or have more concentration from the first training session, but a clear result, such as better memory or more stable balance, usually takes time

Generally, continuous training of 4–6 weeks is needed before a change that can be measured begins to be seen. As for a result in the long term, such as helping daily routines be done better, it usually needs continuous training together with other forms of therapy

Safety and matters to beware of

VR Rehabilitation is generally safe, but it does not suit everyone. At PYONG, every patient receives screening by a physician before beginning the programme

Matters to beware of:

• Symptoms of dizziness from looking at moving images
• Epilepsy that still cannot be controlled
• Severe problems of vision
• An acute state of health that is not yet stable

Every training session has a team of physicians and therapists caring closely for the highest safety

The cost

At PYONG Rehabilitation Penthouse, the cost depends on the assessment of the physician before a package is chosen. Generally it starts at 4,600 baht per session, depending on the length of time and the complexity of the programme

Patients who want continuous training can choose a package of several sessions, and can combine it with other services of therapy, such as physiotherapy or occupational therapy

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

1. Is VR Rehabilitation safe for older people?
   It is safe, if screening by a physician has been passed and a therapist cares for them closely
2. How does Omnifit VR Training differ from VR for playing games?
   Omnifit was designed medically, with modules specific to therapy and a system of following the result, not for entertainment
3. Is a referral letter from a neurologist needed?
   It is not necessary; a booking can be made directly, and the rehabilitation medicine physician of PYONG assesses before beginning
4. Can VR Rehabilitation replace physiotherapy?
   It cannot replace it entirely; it is usually used together with physiotherapy or occupational therapy for a better result
5. How long does each session take?
   Generally 20–40 minutes, depending on the ability and the goal of each person

Choosing a place of treatment for pain and for diseases of the brain from a clinic cared for by a team of specialist physicians with expertise, such as PYONG Rehabilitation Clinic and PYONG Rehabilitation Penthouse, helps the patient receive care effectively and safely, with modern technology, so that the patient has the opportunity to recover and come back to a better quality of life quickly