Advancements in Virtual Reality Applications for Rehabilitation in Chronic Illness

Dear Colleagues,

The evolution of new technology, telehealth and remote monitoring has been significantly accelerated by recent global health crises, compelling a reevaluation of traditional healthcare delivery models. One of the most promising innovations in this context is the application of virtual reality (VR) in the rehabilitation of patients across the entire spectrum of chronic diseases. This includes, but is not limited to, cardiovascular disorders, respiratory conditions, oncological diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, and metabolic illnesses. While VR's role in neurorehabilitation has been extensively studied, there is an urgent need to expand this research to encompass all chronic diseases, thereby offering a more holistic approach to long-term patient care.

The primary objective of this Special Issue is to serve as a comprehensive repository of groundbreaking research that investigates the diverse applications of virtual reality in the rehabilitation of patients with any form of chronic disease. This Special Issue aims to bridge existing knowledge gaps and provide a robust platform for interdisciplinary dialogue among clinicians, researchers, and technologists. It will focus on empirical studies, systematic reviews, and proof-of-concept papers that elucidate the efficacy, challenges, and future prospects of VR-based rehabilitation in chronic disease management:

1. Efficacy of VR in Chronic Disease Rehabilitation: Papers that evaluate the effectiveness of VR-based interventions in improving clinical outcomes and quality of life.
2. Technological Innovations: Studies that introduce novel VR technologies tailored for rehabilitation, including AI-driven algorithms for personalized care.
3. Patient Engagement and Compliance: Research focusing on psychological aspects, such as increased patient engagement and adherence to VR-based rehabilitation programs.
4. Ethical and Regulatory Considerations: Articles that address the ethical implications and regulatory hurdles limiting the widespread adoption of VR in healthcare settings.
5. Cost-Effectiveness: Papers that provide an economic evaluation of the implementation of VR-based rehabilitation programs compared to traditional methods.

By collating high-caliber contributions in this Special Issue, I aim to propel forward the academic discourse and practical applications of virtual reality in the rehabilitation of all chronic diseases. I look forward to your invaluable contributions to this burgeoning field of study.

Dr. Sebastian Rutkowski
Guest Editor

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• virtual reality
• virtual reality rehabilitation
• VR-based physical therapy
• VR rehab
• augmented reality in rehabilitation
• patient engagement
• AI-supervised training
• remote monitoring
• wearable technology
• cost-effectiveness of VR therapy