Rehabilitation is usually a long-term process of overcoming difficulties, not just those on the physical level. Restoring fitness requires time, patience and regularity. In a word, what is needed in rehabilitation is the fortitude to get out of a difficult situation. Psychological support is crucial to make the rehabilitation process successful. Not all patients can count on support, mainly due to limited staff resources. In view of the barriers to accessing traditional psychological support, virtual support is of great importance.
Psychological challenges of rehabilitation
Rehabilitation takes place after health problems have occurred. Thus, for the patient, restoring mobility is often associated with pain, discomfort and reduced quality of life due to the changed mobility situation. Finding oneself in new health circumstances, experiencing adverse changes (after injuries, trauma, surgeries, as a result of chronic illnesses), affects the patient’s well-being. In addition, some diseases like COPD and serious health conditions like stroke, heart attack, which result in reduced function, co-occur with depression, anxiety and stress. Psychological challenges in particular arise in rehabilitation: neurological, cardiac, pulmonological, orthopedic, oncological, wherever rehabilitation can be prolonged and demanding, and patients are at risk of co-occurring depression. The presence of depressive symptoms like apathy, lack of motivation and energy, loss of interest, feelings of helplessness and fatigue complicate the course of rehabilitation. Another challenge is anxiety and excessive stress, which are not uncommon in rehabilitated individuals. Physiotherapists’ empathetic approach is helpful in supporting patients emotionally, but symptoms of depression or persistent anxiety are difficult to overcome without professional support.
Psychic support in rehabilitation
Modern rehabilitation takes into account not only the physical aspects of a patient’s health, but also the psychological ones. To some extent, physiotherapists are equipped with psychological knowledge to facilitate their work with patients, but working simultaneously in both areas is a challenge and beyond the competence of a single person. The physical rehabilitation process for patients with depressive symptoms should be integrated with the psychological support provided by a specialist. Unfortunately, constant cooperation with a psychologist is not always possible due to financial, time and professional availability constraints. Patients presenting emotional, mental difficulties should be cared for and supported in dealing with the aftermath of the disease. In reality, a mental health specialist working in a dozen departments is unable to provide regular support to the patient. In case of limitations in the availability of a specialist, other members of the rehabilitation team who interact with the rehabilitated person on a daily basis can reach out to provide virtual support for the patient who requires care.
Virtual support in rehabilitation
Facilities equipped with VR TierOne devices can increase the availability of therapeutic support and cover more people with therapy. This increases the chance of a faster recovery. The problem with rehabilitating a patient with depression is that the desire to recover and regain function is significantly weakened. The depressed patient distances himself from himself. Such distancing manifests itself in negative thinking about oneself, lack of motivation to take care of one’s health, loss of contact with emotions and desires. The symptoms of depression make it impossible to engage in rehabilitation, so an important part of working with a depressed person is to trigger self-compassion, gentleness in self-esteem and resurrect the inner strength needed in a crisis situation of loss of health. This is possible with the help of virtual therapy, which focuses on reducing depressive symptoms, improving mood and releasing inner forces. These resources, brought out and strengthened with virtual therapy, become the patient’s allies in the fight for fitness and the highest possible quality of life. TierOne’s VR therapy is designed to empower patients to participate in activities that are beneficial to their health and functioning in a short period of 8 therapy sessions lasting up to 20 minutes each. Virtual therapy for depression is available through the VR TierOne medical device, which can be operated by department staff. Therapy in a VR environment expands the ability to support patients when mental health professionals are unavailable. A carefully thought-out therapy cycle taking place in the safe virtual space of the garden allows patients to find the strength and energy to move on. Equipment with virtual therapy supports convalescents, but also the work of rehabilitation specialists, relieves them of the burden of establishing cooperation, motivating patients to be active and engage in lifestyle changes. Improving the patient’s psychological well-being and motivation are key to successful rehabilitation. That’s why it’s worth turning to innovative and recognized solutions like VR TierOne, which was developed by specialists as a response to real problems encountered in rehabilitation departments.
