Virtual Reality Technology in Vestibular Rehabilitation

Abstract

Balance is the body's ability to keep its center of gravity on the base of support. Maintaining balance is achieved through a complex interaction in which the central nervous system coordinates and integrates sensory input from the vestibular, visual and proprioceptive systems. When any of these systems is damaged or insufficient, the balance functions of individuals are significantly affected, causing dizziness. Vestibular rehabilitation, which is the mainstay of the treatment of vestibular disorders, allows to improve dizziness, quality of life and balance control. The use of virtual reality technology for vestibular rehabilitation allows simulating a more realistic and immersive environment. In this way, it attracts more attention of the individual and increases his/her adaptation to rehabilitation. Traditional vestibular rehabilitation sessions may fail due to their disadvantages such as being long and costly and requiring patient cooperation during the session. Virtual reality-based vestibular rehabilitation can replace or add to traditional vestibular rehabilitation.

Keywords

• Virtual reality
• vestibular diseases
• rehabilitation

Vestibüler Rehabilitasyonda Sanal Gerçeklik Teknolojisi

Abstract

Denge, vücudun ağırlık merkezini destek tabanı üzerinde tutma yeteneğidir. Dengenin sürdürülmesi, santral sinir sisteminin vestibüler, görsel ve proprioseptif sistemlerden gelen duyusal girdiyi koordine ettiği ve bütünleştirdiği karmaşık bir etkileşim ile sağlanır. Bu sistemlerden herhangi biri hasar gördüğünde veya yetersiz kaldığında, bireylerin denge işlevleri belirgin şekilde etkilenir ve baş dönmesine neden olur. Vestibüler bozuklukların tedavisinin temel dayanağı olan vestibüler rehabilitasyon, baş dönmesi, yaşam kalitesinin ve denge kontrolünün iyileşmesine olanak tanır. Vestibüler rehabilitasyon için sanal gerçeklik teknolojisinin kullanılması, daha gerçekçi ve sürükleyici bir ortamın simüle edilmesini sağlar. Bu sayede bireyin ilgisini daha fazla çekerek rehabilitasyona uyumunu artırır. Geleneksel vestibüler rehabilitasyon seanslarının uzun süreli ve maliyetinin yüksek olması, seans sırasında hasta kooperasyonu gerektirmesi gibi dezavantajlarından dolayı başarısızlıkla sonuçlanabilir. Sanal gerçeklik temelli vestibüler rehabilitasyon, geleneksel vestibüler rehabilitasyonun yerini alabilir veya katkıda bulunabilir.  

Keywords

• Sanal gerçeklik
• vestibüler hastalıklar
• rehabilitasyon

Supporting Institution

İstanbul Gelişim Üniversitesi

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