Virtual Reality and Chemotherapy
VR在醫(yī)學(xué)方面的應(yīng)用具有十分重要的現(xiàn)實(shí)意義。在虛擬環(huán)境中,可以建立虛擬的人體模型,借助于跟蹤球、HMD、感覺(jué)手套,學(xué)生可以很容易了解人體內(nèi)部各器官結(jié)構(gòu),這比現(xiàn)有的采用教科書的方式要有效得多。Pieper及Satara等研究者在90年代初基于兩個(gè)SGI工作站建立了一個(gè)虛擬外科手術(shù)訓(xùn)練器,用于腿部及腹部外科手術(shù)模擬。這個(gè)虛擬的環(huán)境包括虛擬的手術(shù)臺(tái)與手術(shù)燈,虛擬的外科工具(如手術(shù)刀、注射器、手術(shù)鉗等),虛擬的人體模型與器官等。借助于HMD及感覺(jué)手套,使用者可以對(duì)虛擬的人體模型進(jìn)行手術(shù)。
Some cancer patients are discovering that virtual reality isn’t just for cyber geeks.
Virtual reality is helping patients cope with chemotherapy. First of all, virtual reality isn’t simply video games, but it’s defined as away for humans to become immersed in a computer-generated environment in a naturalistic fashion. The distraction of a virtual world significantly reduces the adverse effects of chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer patients.
Some patients say that it’s not just the chemotherapy itself that makes them ill, but it’s other cancer patients. Sharing a room with other people undergoing the same treatment can make it that much more difficult for some people to relax. With the help of virtual reality,they report less fatigue, as well as fewer distress symptoms, such as nausea and vomiting. Currently, virtual reality is being tested for its effectiveness in easing the experience of chemo for patients with other cancers as well.
The virtual reality programs being provided to cancer patients are chosen carefully, so that they’re interactive enough to help distract patients, but without overstimulating them. Scenarios used engage the participant in touring an art gallery, going deep-sea diving, or solving a mystery.
Virtual realities are also being used in a variety of other medical applications, from surgical training to the treatment of body image .