Artificial intelligence and virtual reality are becoming essential components in the field of patient rehabilitation. Virtual reality in rehabilitation offers patients realistic, life-like simulations for performing therapeutic exercises and activities. It can be used for almost every type of patient, ranging from top athletes to senior citizens. Typically, it involves using goggles paired with specialised software to generate a 3D virtual environment that replicates realworld situations, enabling patients to safely and effectively enhance their physical, cognitive, and emotional abilities in a controlled setting. The adaptability of these technologies expands the reach of cutting-edge rehabilitation techniques for patients with significant disabilities, mobility challenges, or those recovering from surgery in their own homes. Additionally, virtual reality can be integrated into telerehabilitation. Primarily, virtual reality is applied in neurorehabilitation to help regain motor skills. However, it also enhances cognitive abilities, such as memory, attention, and problemsolving skills, by creating scenarios that push patients to utilise and improve these abilities. Virtual reality offers an engaging, interactive environment that provides experiences, serves as a distraction, promotes relaxation, and diminishes pain perception for various chronic mental and physical conditions. Beyond its therapeutic role, virtual reality software also serves a diagnostic purpose, continuously assessing and tailoring the treatment process to fit each patient’s needs, preferences, and objectives. Similarly, artificial intelligence can analyse vast amounts of data to determine which treatment methods will be most beneficial for an individual patient. It can forecast treatment outcomes and potential complications and dynamically adjust the treatment strategy accordingly.
Doc. MUDr. Michal Pohanka, Ph.D.
Head of the Department of Physical Medicine and
Rehabilitation at St. Anne’s University Hospital in Brno
