Review on the application of virtual reality to vestibular rehabilitation

• Main Author: Rafael ÁLVAREZ-OTERO
• Format: Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Ediciones Universidad de Salamanca 2020-02-01
• Series: Revista ORL
• Subjects: realidad virtual; movimientos oculares; movimientos cefálicos; pruebas vestibulares; trastornos vestibulares
• Online Access: https://revistas.usal.es/index.php/2444-7986/article/view/21215

Introduction and objective: New technologies grant us new formulas to analyze and modify the subject's relationship with the environment. Virtual reality would be its maximum expression. We will explain the basic foundations that are applied in these technologies, which have many elements in common with the organization of our sense of balance. Method: Narrative review. Results: We will present the technical characteristics and compensation mechanisms applied in vestibular rehabilitation devices. Discussion: We will review some studies that analyze the advantages and disadvantages of virtual reality compared to conventional physical therapy. Conclusions: The ocular, postural or head turn monitoring systems applied to virtual reality can be used in the development of diagnostic or vestibular rehabilitation devices. More studies are needed that compare their effectiveness with respect to traditional physical therapy.