Twin Boro Physical Therapy in Toms River, New Jersey, is conveniently located for Toms River residents to have access to the professional physical therapy care they need without disrupting their weekly routines. We know how difficult it can be to make time to go to physical therapy “near me,” and we are dedicated to delivering the maximum results in the shortest time possible.
Twin Boro Physical Therapy was established in1980 with the mission to provide affordable, accessible, and high-quality physical therapy to the great New Jersey community. Over forty years later and we are continually expanding our locations, teams, and methods to achieve our goal and stay a leader in rehabilitative care.
Virtual reality in physical therapy: What is the research showing?
As our society continues to shift online, the use of virtual reality (VR) in medical settings continues to be explored for its potential to help people heal and rehabilitate from the comfort of their homes. Virtual reality has the potential to open physical therapy to people that are unable to come to the clinic in-person, whether due to financial, mobility, or geographic restrictions. Because VR is so new, there is limited research on its applications in physical therapy settings. However, several early studies have indicated VR may have great promise in helping people improve their movement abilities.
One study published in Medical Science Monitor found that VR use in physical therapy helped patients with Parkinson’s disease improve their balance and gait. For this study, 28 patients were randomized to receive traditional or VR therapy for 12 weeks. Researchers found that both study groups improved, but the VR group saw greater improvements than the traditional scale. Participants were measured on the Berg Balance Scale, Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale, Timed Up and Go Test, and Functional Gait Assessment. There were no injuries to any participant.
Another study looking at movement improvement in patients who suffered a stroke found similar results as the study looking at patients with Parkinson’s. Continuing to look at the efficacy of VR in physical therapy, researchers conducted a meta analysis of virtual reality headsets in rehabilitation settings to look at whether VR is safe and effective in health care. Researchers found that VR was a safe method of delivering rehabilitation care across studies, and found it encouraged significant improvement particularly in patients looking to improve their balance or vestibular function.
While more research needs to be implemented to ensure safe delivery of care, early research indicates that patients with VR training have the potential to benefit significantly from integrating VR rehabilitation methods with other rehabilitation methods. As VR continues to become more widespread, it is likely that it will become a standard part of many care plans for patients looking to maximize their movement abilities.
Ready to work together?
At Twin Boro Physical Therapy, our patients are treated with compassion, commitment, and respect. Our team of expert care professionals is dedicated to helping each patient reach their goals, and you can expect individualized attention to help you get there.
For residents in Toms River looking to get started “near me,” schedule your first appointment with one of our professional physical therapists at our Twin Boro Physical Therapy Toms River location. We can be reached by calling 732.554.0622 or visiting our website.
