Exploring the Potential of Augmented and Virtual Reality for Patient Care and Medical Innovation

Rohan Naveen Gajan (), K. Sudhakar (), P. Rubini () and Dishita Kamath ()
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Rohan Naveen Gajan: Nitte Meenakshi Institute of Technology, Nitte (Deemed to be University), Artificial Intelligence and Data Science
K. Sudhakar: Nitte Meenakshi Institute of Technology, Nitte (Deemed to be University), Artificial Intelligence and Data Science
P. Rubini: CMR University, Computer Science and Engineering, School of Engineering and Technology
Dishita Kamath: Nitte Meenakshi Institute of Technology, Nitte (Deemed to be University), Artificial Intelligence and Data Science

A chapter in AI in Smart and Secure Healthcare, 2026, pp 229-255 from Springer

Abstract: Abstract This chapter discusses the merger of AR and VR within modern medical care systems from fully consolidated and newly formed applications in the field of medical training, surgical navigation as well as patient treatment and rehabilitation. The healthcare AR and VR market amounted to USD 504.5 million in 2016. By 2023, it is forecasted to be USD 4997.9 million at a compound annual growth rate of 36.6%. The main findings are that VR-based surgical simulations can yield a 230% efficiency improvement in training outcomes and AR-enhanced surgical procedures can demonstrate a 98% accuracy rate, whereas conventional methods yield only a 90% accuracy rate. In therapeutic application, in four out of five adult patients, pain reduction of 50% was achieved after between 5 and 8 outpatient sessions using VR mirror visual feedback systems. The COVID-19 pandemic thrust technology into the spotlight where its potential mostly fell somewhat short of the needs within clinical settings. This analysis uses architectural frameworks, comparative use case analyses, and critical evaluation of the limitations of today to provide a holistic assessment of the implementation of AR/VR in healthcare.

Keywords: Augmented reality (AR); Virtual reality (VR); Smart healthcare; Patient care; Medical training; Surgical simulation; Physical rehabilitation; Mental health therapy; Immersive technologies; Healthcare innovation; Artificial intelligence (AI); Medical diagnosis; Predictive healthcare; Cybersecurity in healthcare; Ethical considerations (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
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DOI: 10.1007/978-3-032-15092-9_9

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