Thanks to the development of technology, ‘virtual universes’, which could be described as science fiction before, are becoming more and more popular day by day. The spread of the concept of ‘metaverse’, which has received billions of dollars in investment in recent months and is seen as the future of the internet, shows that digital universes that we will reach via virtual reality in the future will be quite common, and perhaps people will spend most of their time in these environments instead of real life.
It is a topic on the agenda that the rapidly developing virtual reality may bring some results. These results, mostly negative, showed that virtual reality technologies can cause physical problems such as nausea, dizziness and loss of balance. Even so, it would not be wrong to say that these technologies have positive aspects. Now scientists have revealed one of them and announced that the lives of millions of people can change.
can help prevent Alzheimer’s
Researchers participating in a panel held in Texas, USA, suggested that virtual reality can be used to prevent and slow down Alzheimer’s disease. According to the statements, these technologies can have important effects in combating situations such as loneliness and social isolation. In addition, experts added that virtual reality can be used in people with Alzheimer’s disease.
According to reports, the use of virtual reality technologies by people with Alzheimer’s can trigger the recall of some forgotten memories, as well as recall certain senses, such as the voice of a family member. Another study conducted in the United Kingdom supported these statements, and it was stated that virtual reality could be used to recall memories of people suffering from dementia, a disease caused by Alzheimer’s.
Allison Sekuler, one of the scientists who participated in the panel, in her statements on the subject, stated that “Reminiscence triggered by virtual reality does not reverse dementia, but it can certainly slow down the disease” and added the following: We can say that it is not just to relieve their loneliness, but also helps the brain.”
“Virtual reality is more effective than phone or video calls”
As many of us encounter in our lives, many people stay away from their friends and family when they get old, and are placed in places such as nursing homes. . This situation causes the feeling of ‘loneliness’, which has the potential to adversely affect human health, and the emergence of certain diseases, such as dementia. When this is the case, experts are looking for ways to prevent this.
For this reason, it is thought that virtual reality can be effective against the loneliness that has increased significantly due to the pandemic and Alzheimer’s disease, which is found in many people in the world. According to experts, virtual reality can produce much more effective results than a phone or video call, as it allows people to be together without being in the same place.
This is why it is stated that new technologies can cure the loneliness experienced by elderly people. In addition, it is noted that virtual reality can fill the gap in Alzheimer’s therapy, which has been researched for many years, and can produce promising results in the fight against the disease.
19072
