5G virtual reality at the service of patients with multiple sclerosis

The application of virtual reality techniques to treat or alleviate certain diseases has been studied for a long time. It has been proven to create environments to confront some phobias safely or to stimulate the cognitive part in certain patients. In the case of the treatment of multiple sclerosis, there are also projects aimed at complementing the rehabilitation of patients.

Multiple sclerosis is a disease of the nervous system, which affects the brain and spinal cord. Its causes are not exactly known, although it is known to be linked to genetic, environmental, and infectious factors. It is chronic and, over the years, we have learned that one of the most effective ways to slow down its development and maintain or improve the patient’s quality of life is rehabilitation. It is used in combination with drugs to slow the progression of the disease.

The use of virtual reality, to alleviate this and other ailments, will gain adoption with the arrival of 5G. And it is that one of the main disadvantages of this technology is having cables connected to the glasses. There are already models that have got rid of these ties, but many times there is a signal delay, due to the connection. The new mobile telecommunications network will avoid this extreme, as it guarantees a much lower latency, between 1-5 milliseconds.

Virtual reality to motivate the patient

One of the problems that physiotherapists encounter is the so-called adherence to rehabilitation. As it is a chronic task, the perseverance of any patient is put to the test. Sometimes the exercises have to be more intensive and other times, they are more maintenance. But they always spread out over time.

“ The virtual reality glasses bring, above all, novelty and motivation to the patient. Doing functional exercises in a rehabilitation environment and it chronically becomes repetitive ”, explains Laura García Ruano, coordinator of Physiotherapy Services at FEMM (Fundación Esclerosis Múltiple Madrid). “So including incentives in which the movements or activities are the same, but a totally new environment is introduced generates interest and increases attention. With this, we achieve adherence, that people do not lack ”.

Immersive environments

This novelty that virtual reality brings is achieved with the creation of attractive scenarios. Deploying them on the glasses requires a high-speed, low-latency connection. Otherwise, there may be lags or skips in the image, which will make the user dizzy. Hence, 5G is destined to become a suitable means to use this type of glasses.

For the treatment of multiple sclerosis, it is attractive for a patient to enter a different environment, such as the relaxing environment of a jetty or a medieval world, with beasts and beasts. “All this playful part increases motivation and also performance,” says García Ruano. It refers to the fact that raising your arm for the fact of having to do it, for pure rehabilitation, has much less interest for a person than doing it to eliminate a fantastic creature that assaults you. This part of gamification works to motivate.

Virtual reality as a treatment for multiple sclerosis

One of the doubts that remain is whether the patient will be able to use this type of glasses at home. “Since it can be done by the user as a complement to standard rehabilitation, it could even be done at home. Although in reality, since they need a large and clear space, so that if you deviate you do not crash into the road, I think that in the end, it will end up being done in rehabilitation units ”, reflects García Ruano.

In any case, it always has to be a complement to the usual rehabilitation that these people carry out. A more dynamic and fun extra. García Ruano points out another of the advantages of virtual reality: “It has a very good thing, which is that you can see the performance and the results. And, knowing the patient previously, you can, as a physiotherapist, program their exercises in a personalized way ”

The inalienable role of a professional

Although there must always be a professional involved in the treatment of multiple sclerosis, according to García Ruano. She, as a physiotherapist, sees what kind of exercises the patient has to do and, from there, can adapt the virtual reality program. Although, he points out that not all programs can be adapted to all patients.

The condition of multiple sclerosis is very varied. And, unlike a physio, which can be adapted to any patient, virtual reality is not without finite options. That is, it has the ability to act as a stimulating and motivational complement, but with the corresponding supervision. “It has to be something planned, programmed, and supervised by a professional, who in turn knows what the patient is like,” concludes García Ruano.

The physiotherapist also points out a type of patient. “There are people who tend to fail in everything, such as fatigue, balance … And it is also quite recurrent that they have visual and balance problems, at the level of dizziness, feelings of vertigo. And some of these screen elements add to that feeling. ” In these cases, obviously, the technology would not be applicable.