VR was once thought to be something out of a Back to the Future movie. Today, thanks to new technologies, it can even prevent the development of certain diseases.
A recent CNET report suggests that virtual reality gaming can help prevent dementia. In general, scientific studies show that launching, for example, Beat Saber and Superhot, can slow the progression of Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. This is explained by the fact that when playing such projects, both the brain and the human body are involved.
In 2021, a survey was conducted among more than 600 people. The purpose of this survey was to find out how VR games have affected people during the pandemic. All results were published in Health and Technology.
Also in one systematic review, which was published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, experts examined 15 studies on the impact of virtual reality on people.
The impact on the physical condition was considered in 12 articles (of which eight, scientists came to the conclusion that people improved the physical form, balance and functioning of the limbs, increased muscle strength), on the mental – in four articles (three of them talked about the positive impact of games : they reduced fatigue and symptoms of depression, reduced stress, made a person more calm and improved quality of life).
However, in the review, the experts emphasized that the number of participants in these 15 studies was too small. Therefore, additional experiments are needed to confirm all the data.
In addition, Dr. David A. Merrill, psychiatrist and director of the Center for Brain Health, told CNET that exergy (playing with exercises) has positively impacted older memory clinic patients.