The metaverse is a virtual world, still hypothetical, which can be accessed through virtual reality and augmented reality. The idea would be to create a world superimposed on the physical one. People connected to the metaverse are part of the physical world, but they can see and interact with things that others don’t, because they belong in a virtual world. There is no single definition of the metaverse that everyone agrees on. Extended Reality is an already established market and there are many companies that use, whether in consumer management or business processes, technologies capable of enriching the real world with digital elements. To date, there are 212 different virtual worlds, but there is still no fully interoperable digital universe. How is the metaverse used today?
We are in Italy, in Bari, where the potential of the metaverse and virtual reality to reduce the use of drugs in children who need to undergo blood samples or small interventions has been tested. The researchers’ idea is to use adventures in the metaverse, equipping children with virtual reality headsets to help them forget they are in an operating room. The trial underway at the Giovanni XXIII hospital in Bari is encouraging, the doctors explained how the use of this technology helps children overcome their fear of needles and better manage anxiety about an operation. The use of visors also makes it possible to avoid or reduce the use of drugs to sedate or put young patients to sleep. There are two modalities that are used to avoid deep sedation: a program that through guided breathing exercises, produces a sort of clinical hypnosis and a play mode that distracts the child. It is clear, therefore, that the use of the metaverse in this case brings benefits. Using virtual reality with the help of clinical hypnosis programs and video games is a quick tool that does not require additional staff and allows little ones to be less afraid. Finally, the potential of this technology, as we have just seen, is not only related to the playful aspect, but also to functional benefits.
Written by Sara Pia Votta