Innovative Solutions for Insomnia: A Comparative Review of Virtual Reality Devices for Insomnia Management

The application of virtual reality (VR) has made its way into the healthcare field, however, its involvement in the management of insomnia has only recently started to be inves-tigated. With VR applications showing benefits in multiple areas of health management, including for anxiety, PTSD and depression, the management of insomnia via virtual reality may also be beneficial. The prevalence and incidence of insomnia is extremely high, affecting billions across the world. A silent disease that many do not even realize they have, insomnia carves a pathway leading to further clinical consequences including anxiety and depression. Current treatment regimens for insomnia have skyrocketed the use of medications such as Valium, barbiturates and even over-the-counter melatonin, however, the effects these external substitutes have on the quality of sleep one receives are detrimental. Non-detrimental and natural treatments may include the regulation of breathing and mental imagery. VR devices may be useful by providing an immersive visual experience integrated with breath work and specific imagery. In this article we review the current availability and applications of various virtual reality devices that may greatly aid in the natural management of insomnia around the world.