Immersive virtual reality in Palliative Care: prospects for Total Rehabilitation

Abstract

Introduction: Virtual Reality presents itself as a promising tool for improving health technologies and enhancing interventions to improve the functionality and quality of life of patients and families facing progressive diseases and/or lifethreatening conditions. Objective: This essay discusses the promising role of Immersive Virtual Reality in Palliative Care rehabilitation and proposes the concept of Total Rehabilitation as a possibility to expand the current conception of rehabilitation. Method: We present reflections based on the Total Pain theory, typical of Palliative Care, and the inclusion of New Technologies in health, especially in the field of rehabilitation, through documents based on the reflexive line that the authors intend to submit for consideration and public debate. Results: The role of Immersive Virtual Reality in health interventions is important and promising, as well as the conceptual proposal for expanding the concept and understanding of Rehabilitation, coining the term Total Rehabilitation. In addition, the reflective process of debate on therapeutic possibilities and their innovations was fostered. Conclusion: From Total Rehabilitation, innovations related to health care, whether technological and/or clinical practices, can be improved and made available through interventions in physical and/or virtual environments, having global functionality and human dignity as premises for rehabilitation processes, with actions that involve the physical, social, psychological and spiritual dimensions, as presented by the concept of Total Pain.