Virtual Reality in Neurorehabilitation: Is It Time to Go Beyond Research?

Cognitive Rehabilitation (CR) is a non-pharmacological treatment aimed at subjects affected by cognitive difficulties due to brain damage or neurodegenerative disorders. CR techniques can be conventional (i.e., paper/pencil exercises) or innovative, such as computerized CR, robotics techniques, or virtual reality (VR). The VR systems, thanks to the characteristics of immersion, interaction, and imagination, allow to stimulate interaction and involvement in therapeutic sessions, favoring functional recovery in patients affected by neurological and neurodegenerative disorders. In conclusion, VR represents a promising approach to neurorehabilitation, enhancing the effects of conventional therapies, and encouraging longer training sessions and a reduction in overall hospitalization time.