Resumen
Concepts such as viewing a six-foot spider chasing one across the room, affects the basic definition of how people view themselves and how they face their deepest fears. Such concepts are being treated in virtual environments designed to aid in mental rehabilitation. This article describes such efforts as well as innovative attempts to use virtual reality (VR) in physical rehabilitation for problems as diverse as recovery from strokes and learning to operate a wheelchair. The computer community has been designed with the idea of creating real-time user-controlled actions in imaginary environments. There is a broad scope of mental and physical therapy applications with VR. No attempt has been made to discuss the more traditional applications for VR such as in entertainment, design, and surgery. Safety issues related to VR have been also discussed. An overview of using VR glove technology; improved walking for Parkinson patients; description of movement rehabilitation from stroke; helping wheelchair patients; general rehabilitation; teaching empathy; cybersickness, and body image has also been discussed.