Psychological Rehabilitation For Vulnerable Populations

A Global Problem Needing Action

1 in 4 people will be affected by mental or neurological disorder at some point in their lives

Around 450 million suffer today – placing mental disorders among leading causes of ill-health and disability

More than 20% of adults (aged 60+) suffer from mental or neurological disorder (that is more than 400 million by 2050)

39 deaths per 100 000 population are attributable to Alcohol and illicit Drug use – Relapse statistics may reach up to 90% following a period of recovery

Although healthcare providers wrote 259 million prescriptions for painkillers, 100 people continue to die every day due to opioid drug overdoses

Close to 800 000 commit suicide annually

More than 300 million people of all ages suffer from depression

1 in 160 children has an autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

Favorable VR Research Results

Among 244 children (2 to 16 years old) receiving vaccination, using VR resulted in 45% to 74% decrease in pain

Burn patients reported a 35% to 50% decrease in perceived pain when using VR with standard pharmacologic treatment

VR significantly reduced the amount of opioid medication administered during painful wound care procedures

Researchers at Duke University are showing that when recovering people develop strategies to avoid relapse in a virtual world, they are able to take those strategies and use them in real-world situations

VR can be used as a treatment tool for enhancing behavior modification goals to support healthy eating habits by reinforcing these goals in life–like situations