Virtual Reality Meets Diabetes
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Published:2024-01-09
Issue:
Volume:
Page:
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ISSN:1932-2968
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Container-title:Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology
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language:en
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Short-container-title:J Diabetes Sci Technol
Affiliation:
1. Department of Clinical and Biomedical Science, NIHR Exeter Biomedical Research Centre, Exeter Centre of Excellence in Diabetes, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
2. Royal Academy of Engineering, London, UK
Abstract
Background: This article provides a detailed summary of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) applications in diabetes. The purpose of this comparative review is to identify application areas, direction and provide foundation for future virtual reality tools in diabetes. Method: Features and benefits of each VR diabetes application are compared and discussed, following a thorough review of literature on virtual reality for diabetes using multiple databases. The weaknesses of existing VR applications are discussed and their strengths identified so that these can be carried forward. A novel virtual reality diabetes tool prototype is also developed and presented. Results: This research identifies three major categories where VR is being used in diabetes: education, prevention and treatment. Within diabetes education, there are three target groups: clinicians, adults with diabetes and children with diabetes. Both VR and AR have shown benefits in areas of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Conclusions: Virtual reality and augmented reality in diabetes have demonstrated potential to enhance training of diabetologists and enhance education, prevention and treatment for adults and children with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. Future research can continually build on virtual and augmented reality diabetes applications by integrating wide stakeholder inputs and diverse digital platforms. Several areas of VR diabetes are in early stages, with advantages and opportunities. Further VR diabetes innovations are encouraging to enhance training, management and treatment of diabetes.
Funder
Royal Academy of Engineering
NIHR Exeter Biomedical Research Centre
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Subject
Biomedical Engineering,Bioengineering,Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism,Internal Medicine
Reference49 articles.
1. IDF Diabetes Atlas. Tenth edition. www.diabetesatlas.org. Published 2020. Accessed January 2, 2024.
2. World Health Organization. Diabetes fact sheet. https://www.swanwood.com/mf.ashx?ID=649f83ca-4422-47c5-b933-8f832d94000a. Published 2023. Accessed January 2, 2024.