Virtual reality modulating dynamics of neuroplasticity: Innovations in neuro-motor rehabilitation

• Published in: Neuroscience 2024-12, Vol.566, p.97-111
• Main Authors: Wankhede, Nitu L., Koppula, Sushruta, Ballal, Suhas, Doshi, Hardik, Kumawat, Rohit, Raju, SSrinadh, Arora, Isha, Sammeta, Shivkumar S., Khalid, Mohammad, Zafar, Ameeduzzafar, Taksande, Brijesh G., Upaganlawar, Aman B., Gulati, Monica, Umekar, Milind J., Kopalli, Spandana Rajendra, Kale, Mayur B.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Molecular neuroscience; Neuroplasticity; Neurorehabilitation; Therapeutic applications; Virtual reality
• ISSN: 0306-4522; 1873-7544; 1873-7544
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2024.12.040

•VR transforms neurological rehab, offering therapeutic potential for diverse disorders.•Merging molecular neuroscience with VR enables personalized treatments.•VR boosts motor, cognitive, and emotional recovery in neuro conditions.•Ethical VR implementation demands data privacy and tech innovation. Virtual reality (VR) technology has emerged as a ground-breaking tool in neuroscience, revolutionizing our understanding of neuroplasticity and its implications for neurological rehabilitation. By immersing individuals in simulated environments, VR induces profound neurobiological transformations, affecting neuronal connectivity, sensory feedback mechanisms, motor learning processes, and cognitive functions. These changes highlight the dynamic interplay between molecular events, synaptic adaptations, and neural reorganization, emphasizing the potential of VR as a therapeutic intervention in various neurological disorders. This comprehensive review delves into the therapeutic applications of VR, focusing on its role in addressing multiple conditions such as stroke, traumatic brain injuries, phobias, and post-traumatic stress disorder. It highlights how VR can enhance motor recovery, cognitive rehabilitation, and emotional resilience, showcasing its potential as an innovative and effective tool in neurological rehabilitation. Integrating molecular neuroscience with VR technology allows for a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying neuroplasticity, opening doors to personalized interventions and precise treatment strategies for individuals with neurological impairments. Moreover, the review emphasizes the ethical considerations and challenges that come with implementing VR-based interventions in clinical practice, stressing the importance of data privacy, informed consent, and collaborative interdisciplinary efforts. By leveraging advanced molecular imaging techniques, VR-based research methodologies, and computational modelling, the review envisions a future where VR technology plays a central role in revolutionizing neuroscience research and clinical neurorehabilitation, ultimately providing tailored and impactful solutions for individuals facing neurological challenges.