Virtual and Augmented Reality Applications in Medicine: Analysis of the Scientific Literature

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Abstract

Background

Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) have recently become popular research themes. However, there are no published bibliometric reports that have analyzed the corresponding scientific literature in relation to the application of these technologies in medicine.

Objective

We used a bibliometric approach to identify and analyze the scientific literature on VR and AR research in medicine, revealing the popular research topics, key authors, scientific institutions, countries, and journals. We further aimed to capture and describe the themes and medical conditions most commonly investigated by VR and AR research.

Methods

The Web of Science electronic database was searched to identify relevant papers on VR research in medicine. Basic publication and citation data were acquired using the “Analyze” and “Create Citation Report” functions of the database. Complete bibliographic data were exported to VOSviewer and Bibliometrix, dedicated bibliometric software packages, for further analyses. Visualization maps were generated to illustrate the recurring keywords and words mentioned in the titles and abstracts.

Results

The analysis was based on data from 8399 papers. Major research themes were diagnostic and surgical procedures, as well as rehabilitation. Commonly studied medical conditions were pain, stroke, anxiety, depression, fear, cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders. Overall, contributions to the literature were globally distributed with heaviest contributions from the United States and United Kingdom. Studies from more clinically related research areas such as surgery, psychology, neurosciences, and rehabilitation had higher average numbers of citations than studies from computer sciences and engineering.

Conclusions

The conducted bibliometric analysis unequivocally reveals the versatile emerging applications of VR and AR in medicine. With the further maturation of the technology and improved accessibility in countries where VR and AR research is strong, we expect it to have a marked impact on clinical practice and in the life of patients.

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Virtual reality in the assessment, understanding, and treatment of mental health disorders

D. Freeman, S Reeve, A. Robinson … (2017)

Mental health problems are inseparable from the environment. With virtual reality (VR), computer-generated interactive environments, individuals can repeatedly experience their problematic situations and be taught, via evidence-based psychological treatments, how to overcome difficulties. VR is moving out of specialist laboratories. Our central aim was to describe the potential of VR in mental health, including a consideration of the first 20 years of applications. A systematic review of empirical studies was conducted. In all, 285 studies were identified, with 86 concerning assessment, 45 theory development, and 154 treatment. The main disorders researched were anxiety (n = 192), schizophrenia (n = 44), substance-related disorders (n = 22) and eating disorders (n = 18). There are pioneering early studies, but the methodological quality of studies was generally low. The gaps in meaningful applications to mental health are extensive. The most established finding is that VR exposure-based treatments can reduce anxiety disorders, but there are numerous research and treatment avenues of promise. VR was found to be a much-misused term, often applied to non-interactive and non-immersive technologies. We conclude that VR has the potential to transform the assessment, understanding and treatment of mental health problems. The treatment possibilities will only be realized if – with the user experience at the heart of design – the best immersive VR technology is combined with targeted translational interventions. The capability of VR to simulate reality could greatly increase access to psychological therapies, while treatment outcomes could be enhanced by the technology's ability to create new realities. VR may merit the level of attention given to neuroimaging.

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Author and article information

Contributors

Atanas G Atanasov:

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2545-0967

Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Digital Health and Patient SafetyMedical University of ViennaSpitalgasse 23Vienna, Austria43 664 1929 852atanas.atanasov@univie.ac.at

Journal

Journal ID (nlm-ta): J Med Internet Res

Journal ID (iso-abbrev): J Med Internet Res

Journal ID (publisher-id): JMIR

Title: Journal of Medical Internet Research

Publisher: JMIR Publications (Toronto, Canada )

ISSN (Print): 1439-4456

ISSN (Electronic): 1438-8871

Publication date Collection: February 2021

Publication date (Electronic): 10 February 2021

Volume: 23

Issue: 2

Electronic Location Identifier: e25499

Affiliations

[1 ] Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Applied Oral Sciences and Community Dental Care Faculty of Dentistry The University of Hong Kong Hong Kong China

[2 ] Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Digital Health and Patient Safety Medical University of Vienna Vienna Austria

[3 ] Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology University of California Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA United States

[4 ] Division of Pediatric Nephrology and Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine Comprehensive Center for Pediatrics Medical University of Vienna Vienna Austria

[5 ] Swiss Paraplegic Research Nottwil Switzerland

[6 ] Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine University of Bern Bern Switzerland

[7 ] Department of Anaesthesia, Intensive Care Medicine and Pain Medicine Medical University Vienna Vienna Austria

[8 ] Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Digital Health and Prevention Salzburg Austria

[9 ] Department of Health Promotion, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI) Maastricht University Maastricht Netherlands

[10 ] Institute for Ethics and Law in Medicine University of Vienna Vienna Austria

[11 ] Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology of the Polish Academy of Sciences Jastrzebiec Poland

[12 ] Institute of Neurobiology Bulgarian Academy of Sciences Sofia Bulgaria

[13 ] Department of Pharmacognosy University of Vienna Vienna Austria

Author notes

Corresponding Author: Atanas G Atanasov atanas.atanasov@ 123456univie.ac.at

Author information

Andy Wai Kan Yeung https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3672-357X

Anela Tosevska https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0892-7068

Elisabeth Klager https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0722-1255

Fabian Eibensteiner https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5012-3082

Daniel Laxar https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4059-9647

Jivko Stoyanov https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6842-6284

Marija Glisic https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0108-2576

Sebastian Zeiner https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8329-6940

Stefan Tino Kulnik https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5419-6713

Rik Crutzen https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3731-6610

Oliver Kimberger https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9766-1360

Maria Kletecka-Pulker https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4901-7930

Atanas G Atanasov https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2545-0967

Harald Willschke https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9093-7563

Article

Publisher ID: v23i2e25499

DOI: 10.2196/25499

PMC ID: 7904394

PubMed ID: 33565986

SO-VID: a6ab1916-93b7-4da3-a1d2-170a331b9472

Copyright © ©Andy Wai Kan Yeung, Anela Tosevska, Elisabeth Klager, Fabian Eibensteiner, Daniel Laxar, Jivko Stoyanov, Marija Glisic, Sebastian Zeiner, Stefan Tino Kulnik, Rik Crutzen, Oliver Kimberger, Maria Kletecka-Pulker, Atanas G Atanasov, Harald Willschke. Originally published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research (http://www.jmir.org), 10.02.2021.

License:

This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work, first published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research, is properly cited. The complete bibliographic information, a link to the original publication on http://www.jmir.org/, as well as this copyright and license information must be included.

History

Date received : 5 November 2020

Date revision requested : 26 November 2020

Date revision received : 8 December 2020

Date accepted : 16 January 2021

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