Digital Therapy Shows Potential for Urology in the Metaverse Era, Study Finds

To unlock the full potential of digital therapeutics in the field of urology and other medical treatments during the Metaverse era, further research and progress are essential, according to a study published in the International Neurourology Journal.

“While the use of digital therapeutics in urology is still in its early stages, it can be an effective addition to traditional treatment methods and may provide patients with more options for their various urological conditions,” wrote Eun Joung Kim, Culture Contents Technology Institute, Gachon University in Seognam, Korea and study coauthor.

Digital therapeutics have emerged as a promising approach to managing medical conditions. High-quality software programs provide evidence-based therapeutic interventions that can help treat, manage, or prevent these conditions. Incorporating digital therapeutics into the Metaverse has made it feasible to apply them in all medical services, including urology. The recent review aimed to provide an overview of how the Metaverse is utilized in digital therapeutics within urinary treatments and identified current trends and potential future developments in this area.

The Metaverse in health care was estimated to be 8.9 billion in 2022. By 2030, it is expected to hit 71.10 billion and grow at a compound growth rate of 29.89% from 2022 to 2030. Incorporating digital therapeutics into the Metaverse is expected to increase the feasibility of their implementation and application, ranging from medical staff training to surgical navigation tools. Metaverse-based applications for digital health care include telemedicine, medical education and training, and aided therapy.

The various digital therapeutics available for urology treatment include mobile apps, pelvic floor muscle training, smart toilet systems, mixed reality-guided training and surgery, and telemedicine platforms. These digital therapeutics have the potential to enhance patient outcomes, reduce health care costs, and improve patient satisfaction.

“In order for digital therapeutics for urinary disease to be integrated into clinical practice guidelines, more clinical evidence needs to be gathered for physicians to have confidence in the accuracy of the data collected by the sensors, which will require the development of professionally trained medical virtualists,” concluded the study authors.

Reference

Kim EJ, Kim JY. The metaverse for healthcare: Trends, applications, and future directions of digital therapeutics for urology. Int Neurourol J. 2023;27(Suppl 1):S3-S12. doi:10.5213/inj.2346108.054