Virtual reality for learning and rehabilitation

Abstract

Given the high incidence of brain injury in the population and the need for addi- tional rehabilitation tools, it is important to explore the possibilities brought by inno- vative technologies. Virtual reality (VR) has the potential to assist current rehabilitation techniques by offering new opportunities for learning. By providing a safe setting in which users may interact and develop goal-oriented activities within a virtual environ- ment, VR allows the delivery of controlled multisensory stimuli and the creation of innovative learning approaches. VR assets in learning have already been used and proved, leading to their exploitation in rehabilitation. In this chapter, we will present some fundamental VR basic issues; we will give details about some VR-based learning approaches used in cognitive and motor rehabilitation and discuss assets and limits of VR for learning and rehabilitation.