Exploring the Potential of the Metaverse in
Healthcare: Emerging Opportunities and Challenges
: A Review
Alaa Alshorbaji
Faculty of Information Technology (FIT)
Applied Science Private University (ASU)
Amman, Jordan
Prof. Mahmoud Qutqut
202215031@students.asu.edu.jo
January 2023
Abstract—The forthcoming period will bring about a profound
shift that will have a wide-reaching effect on multiple facets of
life. A new generation of modern technologies, a fresh concept of
technology, and the most noteworthy aspect that will be affected
by this transformation or technological revolution is the realm of
social communication, which will be greatly impacted. Metaverse
is a groundbreaking technology that promises to revolutionize the
world through a novel method of communication, by transforming the media into a virtual world that replicates reality with all
its physical concepts, as opposed to the existing world, which is
virtual and imaginary. However, it is a world that mimics reality.
This review paper seeks to discuss and summarize the predicted
impacts of the metavirus on health in its various sectors, such
as mental health, ophthalmology, vascular, dentistry and chronic
conditions such as cancer. Its positive and negative implications
will be discussed, and a glossary of terms will be provided to aid
comprehension of this paper.
Index Terms—Virtual Reality , Augmented Reality, Mixed Reality ,LifeLogging, Mirror World, Extended Reality, Metaverse,
NFTs.
I. I NTRODUCTION
The widespread impact of the COVID-19 pandemic led
to the widespread adoption of remote learning and increased
use of social media platforms for various purposes, including
remote consultations. This opened up a new realm of possibilities for people to embrace virtual solutions, allowing for
seamless and convenient remote access to work, education,
social interaction, and even medical appointments. With the
advent of advanced technology, it is now possible to envision
a three-dimensional virtual dimension that mimics reality with
unparalleled accuracy and efficiency, accessible with a simple
button press. This virtual world would provide an immersive
and flexible experience, bridging the gap between fantasy
and reality and revolutionizing various aspects of life through
futuristic technology. [1]
In this surveyed paper, we will summarize a collection of
research papers that discuss the relationship between the
metaverse and the healthcare sector. We will start by exploring
the connection between the metaverse and mental health and
explaining the hypothetical scenario and its relationship to
the diagnosis and treatment of mental health. Then, we will
discuss the expected benefits to mental health that can be
derived from the use of the metaverse, as well as the negative
impacts it can have on mental well-being due to overuse,
ophthalmology, cardiology, hematology, dentistry, and chronic
illnesses. Afterward, we will provide a comparison table
that compares these sectors and their efficacy, feasibility,
and drawbacks. Finally, we will present the challenges and
limitations faced by the metaverse, such as cost, efficacy,
and ease of use. The objective of this reference paper is to
gain a better understanding of the concept of the metaverse
and its relationship to the healthcare sector from different
perspectives.
II. BACKGROUND
This section provides descriptions of the related topics of
this paper, such as virtual reality, augmented reality, mixed
reality, lifelogging, mirror world, extended reality and metaverse. This is to facilitate a better understanding of the paper
faster as these terms will be mentioned frequently.
A. Virtual Reality (VR)
Virtual reality is a cutting-edge technology that provides an
immersive experience to users, allowing them to explore and
interact with a three-dimensional environment.VR technology
can simulate an environment in such a way that users feel as
though they are part of the experience, providing an alternate
reality from what is currently experienced in the real world.
[2]
In order to access the world of virtual reality, specialized
glasses are required. These glasses feature a stereoscopic
screen with specialized lenses containing motion tracking
sensors. The combination of these components creates an
illusion of being in a realistic environment, allowing users to
interact with the environment in a way that suggests realism,
using additional devices with motion sensors. [3]
B. Augmented Reality (AR)
Augmented reality is an emerging technology that enhances
real-world environments with digital elements. This technology does not transfer a user to another reality, but rather
enhances the user’s current reality with three-dimensional
interfaces or animated three-dimensional objects. By using
augmented reality glasses or lenses, or mobile devices with
cameras, real and virtual graphics can be linked and displayed
simultaneously.
The use of Virtual Reality (VR) technology provides a psychologically immersive experience within a virtual environment,
while Augmented Reality (AR) technology enables users to
interact with virtual elements within the context of their real
environment. [2]
Augmented Reality (AR) offers numerous benefits, including
the creation of a highly intelligent and connected environment
through the utilization of location-based technologies and
networks. [2]
C. Mixed Reality (MR)
This technology combines Virtual Reality (VR) with Augmented Reality (AR) to create an environment that blends
virtual objects with real-world elements, allowing for real-time
interaction. [3]
The Mixed Reality (MR) technology is one of the latest
advancements that combines digital objects with realism and
allows for them to interact with each other. In order to use MR,
a headset must be used, such as Microsoft’s HoloLens, which
has a more powerful processor than those used in Augmented
Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR). This allows users to
see digital objects in their environment and interact with them
in various ways. [3]
D. LifeLogging
This is the process of tracking and recording one’s daily life
activities with the use of devices such as Instagram, Facebook,
and smart watches. These devices keep track of a variety
of details about the user, including their heart rate, blood
pressure, stress levels, and sleep patterns. The data collected
is then stored and shared. [4]
E. Mirror World
Mirror World is a term used to describe the reflection of
the external or real world, in an improved format for certain
applications. This is achieved by structuring the real world into
its virtual counterpart, making it more consistent and suitable
for use in the digital space. Examples include Google Earth,
Google Maps, and GPS technology. [4]
F. Extended Reality (ER)
Extended Reality (XR) is an umbrella term encompassing
Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed
Reality (MR) technologies. XR provides an immersive experience for users to interact with virtual objects in a simulated
environment. [5]
G. Metaverse
The term ”Metaverse” has been used for many years and
was initially inspired by the 1992 science fiction novel ”Snow
Crash” by author Neil Stevenson. This novel revolves around
a virtual reality in which people interact with one another via
avatars over the internet. [4]
This world has been realized in various forms, such as Second
Life, Fortnite, and VPChat. [5] The Metaverse is a network of
technologies that simulate a three-dimensional, virtual world.
It utilizes virtual reality, augmented reality, mixed reality and
non-fungible tokens (NFTs) to create an environment where
users can interact with one another in a manner analogous to
real life. The interface is accessed via the Internet, providing
a three-dimensional experience. [3]
In 2021, Facebook announced that it was changing its name
to Metaverse and subsequently broadcasted the brand. [6]
H. Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs)
Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) are a unique form of digital
property that can represent a variety of digital items such as
characters, images, or any other item that can be obtained
through the use of cryptocurrency. Cryptocurrency is an encrypted digital currency which is extremely difficult to decrypt
due to complex encryption methods and large processing
times. NFTs can be purchased with cryptocurrency, with the
most popular example being Bitcoin. NFTs rely on blockchain
technology to provide secure digital data protection for each
token without the use of a third party. [3]
I. Metaverse in Medicine
Metaverse in Medicine refers to the integration of the
Internet of Things (IoT) with medical practice, facilitated
through the use of augmented reality (AR) glasses and virtual
reality (VR) technology. The application of Metaverse in
Medicine is achieved through the utilization of holographic
construction, holographic simulation, virtual-real fusion, and
virtual-real linkage. [7]
J. Holographic construction
The holographic structure is a complex network of interlinking layers that creates a three-dimensional representation of
data. It serves as a cohesive system that aggregates information
from various sources to provide a comprehensive model. [7]
III. I MPLEMENTATION OF M ETAVERSE IN M EDICINE
For effective implementation of metaverse in medicine, it
is crucial to establish a coherent system that facilitates the
comprehensive integration of its various components. This
section endeavors to outline the fundamental principles that
underlie the integration of metaverse in medicine, including
holographic construction, holographic simulation, virtual-real
fusion, and virtual-real linkage. [8]
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A. Holographic construction
The concept of metaverse in medicine aims to seamlessly
integrate therapeutic and diagnostic benefits from the physical
world into the virtual realm. To achieve this, it is essential to
consider the human body’s response to various sensors that
collect medical data and transmit it to the metaverse. This
requires a comprehensive understanding of how to simulate the
human body from both medical and diagnostic perspectives, as
well as a seamless transfer of perception from physical reality
to virtual reality. [7]
B. Holographic simulation
The concept of simulation is an advantageous one, as it
facilitates efficient processing. Through applications such as
Unity, three-dimensional models can be simulated prior to
the construction process, which saves both time and energy.
Moreover, the simulation process can identify any potential
issues that may arise during implementation and construction,
allowing us to proactively address and rectify them. [7]
C. Fusion of virtual and real
The evolution of meta medicine will aim to mirror the real
world in meticulous detail within the virtual realm. As technology progresses, the physical, granular, and interactive elements
of the virtual world will continually improve. Concurrently,
it will be integrated with medical information systems, such
as Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS).
Utilizing real-time motion capture and multiple sensor device
interaction, digital representations of patients and healthcare
providers will offer instant and insightful feedback based on
accurate data. [8]
D. Virtual-real linkage
This study aims to identify the disparities between the
equipment and techniques utilized in traditional medicine and
those employed in the virtual reality of the ”metaverse,” with
respect to its relationship with medicine. The convergence of
brain-computer interfaces, artificial intelligence, and robots,
integrated with virtual reality, is expected to result in improved treatments and diagnoses. The ”metaverse” medicine
is expected to differ from traditional medicine in three crucial
aspects. [8]
1) Interaction of all things: Patients and physicians can
access the digital realm through multiple forms of hardware
and modify it instantaneously, with all aspects of the physical
world being connected to the online world. [8]
2) Integration of virtual and real: Meta-medicine will
strongly unify the virtual and material realms through economic, social, and identity networks allowing for mutual and
enhanced comprehension in the three-dimensional environment of the tangible and intangible. [8]
3) Decentralization. : Blockchain technology could be utilized to certify, validate, and distribute rights, trade, utilize,
and financially enable digital identities in virtual medical
resources, and enable intelligent management of digital assets.
Users, technology, and information form the three dimensions
of the metaverse. In the context of meta-medicine, patients and
doctors constitute the two main user groups. Every user will
hold their own digital identity in the virtual world with the aid
of digital twins. Patient data, imaging data and other features
will form the digital avatars in the meta-medical world.
Doctors and patients will connect through their respective
avatars, abolishing time and space barriers. This will grant the
digital world more freedom than the physical world, granting
us more dimensional points of view, transforming the way of
communication and interaction, and enabling us to reshape
“reality” in the meta-medicine world. [8]
IV. A PPLICATIONS FOR THE H EALTH S ECTOR IN THE
M ETAVERSE
This review will explore the use of health within the realm
of metaphysics and its potential to contribute to advancements
in the health sector with regards to various diseases. Although
no applications have yet been implemented, some research has
drawn on prior studies that discussed the potential benefits of
augmented and virtual reality, both of which are integral components of metaviruses. Additionally, research has considered
the evolving relationship between mental health and virtual
reality, as well as how metaviruses can potentially impact
diseases, such as those related to the eye, cancer, blood vessels,
and beyond.
A. Mental Health
Considering the significance of mental health [3], there is
currently no empirical evidence to suggest the efficacy of
metaphysical approaches. However, virtual, augmented and
mixed realities have provided valuable tools for diagnosis
and treatment of certain mental illnesses. These technologies
offer an effective way to diagnose illnesses which are often
difficult to detect in physical reality due to their rarity. Moreover, virtual reality can also be used to accurately monitor
psychological responses and reactions of patients, enabling
more precise diagnosis and treatment. Another reason is the
treatment of mental health issues in children. Virtual Reality
(VR) can provide a fun and interactive environment to help
draw in and engage the child, and can make it easier to treat
certain diseases.
1. Mental disorders
that benefited from virtual reality Research has demonstrated that virtual reality (VR) may be an effective
treatment for certain mental health disorders. Studies have
shown that VR can be beneficial in the treatment of
anxiety, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD),
depression, and substance use disorders. We will discuss
a range of disorders that have been shown to benefit from
virtual reality (VR) technology in terms of treatment and
diagnosis. Particular attention should be focused on diagnosis, as this is often one of the most challenging aspects
of mental health, due to the potential for certain diseases
to share similar symptoms, leading to misdiagnosis.
1.1. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Following extensive experimentation, virtual reality
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1.2.
1.3.
1.4.
1.5.
1.6.
has been employed to treat and diagnose a disease
affecting children, resulting in increased movement and
reduced concentration and distraction. Through the use
of three-dimensional interfaces, which allow the child
to interact with and respond to them more effectively
than a traditional interview, treatment and diagnosis
have been successfully demonstrated. The 3D graphics
have proven effective in arousing the child’s curiosity
and capturing their attention.
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders can have a detrimental effect on an
individual’s physical health. Psychological conditions
often underlie the development of these disorders,
leading to difficulties in eating. To address this, virtual
reality has been employed as a form of treatment, providing visual stimuli in the form of three-dimensional
shapes and colors that stimulate the craving for food.
This approach has been successful in helping many
individuals overcome their eating disorders.
Anxiety, Phobias Stress Disorders
Anxiety, stress, and phobias are characterized by an
intense fear of engaging with the external environment.
This can create a sense of dread for those affected,
as they struggle to cope with people and situations
in their vicinity. Virtual reality has been used to treat
these conditions, as it provides a virtual platform for
communication with others. This reduces the level of
anxiety associated with social interaction. Furthermore,
virtual reality has also been used to treat phobias, by
providing virtual simulations of the feared situations.
This helps to break down psychological barriers and
ultimately diminish the fear experienced by sufferers.
Post-Traumatic Stress
Post-traumatic stress is a psychological condition
which affects individuals who have been subjected
to traumatic events. It can lead to psychological difficulties, including suicidal thoughts and depression.
This is especially common among soldiers due to the
numerous traumas they are exposed to, such as the
loss of comrades and witnessing death. Virtual reality
has been successful in alleviating symptoms of posttraumatic stress through the ”Bravemind” process, and
has resulted in a decrease in suicides and depressive
episodes. Veterans Affairs hospitals have also employed virtual reality as a treatment for this condition.
Autism
Autism is a prevalent condition, particularly in childhood, and it can be challenging to manage. Recent
studies conducted by the University of Texas have
demonstrated that utilizing virtual reality can improve
concentration and enhance cognitive abilities among
individuals with autism.
Alzheimers Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is a serious condition that commonly affects the elderly, with high prevalence. Patients often experience depression due to their impaired
sense of identity and feeling of alienation from their
family members, which can be detrimental to their
wellbeing. Quickly retrieving their identity through
short-term memory aids may help improve their situation.
1.7. Stress and Pain Management
It is well-established that virtual reality environments
can be remarkably beneficial for those afflicted with
psychological stress and depression. Studies have
demonstrated that treatment utilizing virtual reality is
more effective than traditional therapy in many cases.
The virtual reality environment provides an alternative
to the real world, creating a more calming and
comfortable atmosphere for the person experiencing
it.
The author discussed the potential benefits of virtual
reality for mental health before delving into the metaverse, which is the foundation of their research. They
presented future prospects for mental health through
examining the pros and cons of virtual reality as well
as the potential adverse effects that metaverses may
have on psychological health.
2. The benefits of Metaverse in mental health
2.1. Group therapy sessions
Metaverse has created a unique space that facilitates
group therapy sessions, which have been widely recognized as a successful tool to combat social isolation.
The COVID-19 pandemic has increased feelings of
loneliness and anxiety, particularly among the elderly
population, who are particularly vulnerable to the
impacts of isolation. Group therapy sessions provide
an outlet for those affected to receive support and
guidance in overcoming their feelings of isolation.
There are a range of diseases, including depression,
anxiety, insomnia, and post-traumatic stress disorder,
where metaphors can help to reduce the effects of the
illness. Such conditions can lead to feelings of social exclusion, loneliness and isolation, so therapeutic
group sessions can be beneficial in providing support.
These sessions provide benefit to another group, such
as pregnant women who can exchange experiences and
those affected by postpartum depression who can share
their thoughts and experiences with those who have
gone through similar situations.
2.2. Practicing yoga, meditation and virtual travel
We must acknowledge the financial hardships faced
by certain groups of people, including the elderly and
those with special needs such as paralysis, muscular
dystrophy and mobility impairments. Traveling and
accessing places to relax and meditate can be a great
challenge for these individuals. The emergence of
the metaverse provides them with a virtual way to
experience magic from all parts of the world and
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to practice meditation with flexibility. This will have
a positive impact on their psychological well-being,
helping reduce depression, hatred and envy.
2.3. Virtual mental health clinics
Many countries host numerous psychiatric clinics, yet
access to them can be hindered by cultural stigmas,
which view seeking mental health services as shameful
and damaging to one’s social standing. Virtual clinics
offer a confidential environment that enables individuals suffering from mental illness or who have been subjected to traumatic experiences such as intimidation,
sexual assault, or violence to speak openly without fear.
Metaverse is one such virtual clinic provider that offers
this service.
3. Negative effects of metaphysics on mental health
In recent years, the overuse of social networking sites
and smartphones, including numerous games and applications, has been linked to a decrease in the effective memory responsible for the development or growth of essential
skills in humans. This has resulted in an increase in
cases of depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, hyperactivity
disorder, lack of concentration. While it is not possible to
completely limit the use of phones due to their benefits
for work, study and daily life, it is important to maintain
a balance. Recent advancements in technology have led
to the emergence of new psychological challenges, such
as the comparison of life between individuals and striving
for an ideal lifestyle on social media platforms, as well
as the lack of credibility and competition to reach an
unrealistic standard of beauty through the use of digital
filters. This idealism can pose a serious threat to one’s
mental health and distort their perception of reality.
Entering the virtual world often entails selecting a digital
avatar that reflects one’s true identity. Unfortunately, this
has become an obsession for many; with people focusing
on the avatar’s aesthetic, ideals, outfit, and how far it is
from or close to reality. Significant amounts of money
can be spent in pursuit of this, and it has been identified
as a condition known as the Proteus effect. Recently, a
phenomenon known as ”Fear of Missing Out” (FOMO)
has gained traction. FOMO is the anxiety associated with
not being aware of events or news as quickly as others.
This can lead to feelings of depression, as one may feel
they are falling behind and must constantly strive to stay
informed. According to a recent study, FOMO is linked
to psychological disorders and can have an impact on
sleep, eating, communication and social media habits.
Individuals with FOMO often experience anxiety and
stress.
B. Cancer Care
The exploration of the relationship between metaviruses and
health is a pertinent subject, particularly due to the varying
approaches that have been developed in utilizing metaviruses
for the benefit of health care delivery, including diagnosis
of illnesses, surgical treatments, patient monitoring, health
maintenance, hospital and pharmacy management. [6] Regarding cancer, the potential applications of metavirus include
surgical treatment and rehabilitation. Johns Hopkins University
surgeons recently utilized ”augmedix” headphones to successfully remove a cancerous tumor from the spine during a
surgery. The augmented reality device enabled an anatomical
view of the patient’s bones and tissues before the procedure
began, while also providing equalized images under x-rays
and allowing for control of certain tools. This pioneering
medical technology has been deemed a major revolution in
modern surgery. [6] Metaverse is expected to develop support
for three-dimensional distortion and reality simulations for
consultations between doctors during or prior to surgery,
with the most beneficial outcome for cancer patients being
psychological group therapy sessions to share experiences and
coping strategies among those of the same condition. [6]
C. Cardiovascula
We observed the final stage of a suite of technological tools
that enabled the general public to monitor their illness or health
status, such as blood pressure, heart rate and blood vessels.
These devices included smart watches, smart glasses and smart
scales. The most recent development was the introduction of
smart rings, which track a patient’s condition and provide
information in a timely and accurate manner. This tracking
process will be significantly enhanced with the implementation
of Metaverse technology. It will provide faster and more accurate data, as well as a flexible and three-dimensional interface.
This will enable the user to gain a better understanding of their
health condition and be able to track it in a more realistic
way. Moreover, faster information flow will make the user
more aware and vigilant of their health system, which can be
linked to their doctor in case of emergency. This allows them
to visit the doctor quickly and view their analysis first-hand.
On the other hand, the participation of doctors from around
the world in critical cases or before performing complex heart
operations is a remarkable development. This saves time, effort
and money, while also helping doctors with three-dimensional
interfaces that display the patient’s heart. This allows them
to locate the operation before starting it, or perform a virtual
operation and see the results before returning to the patient.
Dr. Ben Zinan, an American expert in virtual reality at CedarsSinai Hospital in Los Angeles, demonstrated the medical
applications of virtual reality at a recent presentation. He
interacted with a set of slides using a virtual reality headset,
offering audiences an impressive glimpse into the potential of
virtual reality in medicine. [9]
D. Eye Care
The main entrance to the Metaverse World is through
Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) glasses.
Ophthalmology plays an important role in providing access to
this virtual world, as it enables the utilization of its functions.
Retinitis pigmentosa is a degenerative disease that affects the
retina, resulting in a progressive loss of peripheral vision.
Low lighting can make it difficult to distinguish objects, and
Page 5 of 7
there is no medical remedy, such as glasses or lenses, to
prevent its progression. This condition can have a detrimental
effect on daily life, leaving the patient with limited vision
in dimly lit environments. Augmented reality technology was
utilized to treat this illness, providing the patient with glasses
that utilize object detection and convert the identified objects
into light colors, allowing them to distinguish between them
without leaving their current reality. Virtual reality glasses
have been found to be effective in accurately diagnosing vision
impairment. Compared to a traditional examination, virtual
reality provides a simulated environment which more closely
replicates the realities of a patient’s daily life, leading to a
more accurate diagnosis. [10]
D. Effective
E. dentist
In this section, we will determine the feasibility of the
author’s proposed relationship between the metaverse and the
healthcare sector discussed in his research paper in actual
implementation or if it is considered to be a far-fetched
concept.
Dentistry has been utilizing augmented and virtual reality
technologies for a variety of procedures such as dental restoration, dental implants, cosmetic dentistry, and orthodontics.
Following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, most teaching shifted to remote learning. University institutions have
been particularly successful in their implementation of virtual
reality teaching methods for dental students. Virtual reality
has been found to be more effective than traditional methods
such as pictures in explaining teeth structure due to its three
and two-dimensional visualizations. It also allows students to
interact with interfaces in virtual laboratories, thus reducing
the difficulty of understanding and providing access to real
laboratories that may be difficult to access. Medical faculties
have implemented the use of ”haptic” technology, which has
been found to be an effective means of educating students in
oral health. The use of virtual reality has also made the process
of dental implants easier, as it displays the mouth and bones
in a three-dimensional form. As a result, the doctor is able to
review the procedure before beginning, which can significantly
increase its success rate and provide reassurance to the patient.
[11]
V. C OMPARISON TABLE
In this section, I will present a comparison table between
all surveyed papers, in which the following information will
be displayed:
A. Author
The name of the author will be displayed alongside each
reviewed research paper.
B. Healthcare
In this field, we will examine the type of health sector
discussed in the literature and its potential relationship to the
metaverse.
C. Applied
In this domain, we will assess the extent to which the healthcare industry has incorporated advancements in technology
closely related to the metaverse, such as virtual and augmented
reality.
In this section, we will determine, based on the author’s
perspective, whether the healthcare sector has effectively leveraged the metaverse or not.
E. Negative Effect
In this section, we will assess whether the metaverse has had
a negative impact on the healthcare sector, which the author
has discussed in his paper.
F. Applicable
Table I
C OMPARISON TABLE
Author
Usmani et
al
Benet et al
Zeng et al
B. Mesko
Afrashtehfar
et al
Healthcare
Applied
Effective
Negative
Effect
Applicable
Mental Health
yes
yes
yes
yes
Eye Care
Cancer Care
Cardiovascula
no
no
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
no
no
yes
no
yes
dentist
yes
yes
nothing
yes
VI. M ETAVERSE CHALLENGES AND LIMITATIONS
The Metaverse presents a multitude of challenges due to
its expansive concept, intricate implementation, and the need
for multiple technologies in order to interconnect the global
populace.
A. Lack of evidence
The potential applications of virtual reality for mental health
have yet to be fully explored, as the efficacy of such treatments
has yet to be proven at a high rate. Furthermore, there is a
lack of evidence confirming the degree of improvement, and
no follow-up studies have been conducted to track the progress
of participants following their virtual reality experiences. [3]
B. Cost
Owning equipment for the Metaverse technology can be
a challenge due to its high cost. This limits the number of
users, which in turn hinders the success of this technology in
achieving its primary objective of connecting people around
the world in a virtual environment. This is a major hurdle that
must be overcome. [9]
Page 6 of 7
C. Weakness of feelings
The doctor’s lack of psychological empathy with the patient,
especially in serious diseases such as cancer, can impede the
patient’s recovery. Patient mental health is critical for successful treatment outcomes and can be nurtured by motivating and
encouraging the doctor to be patient and supportive. However,
psychological empathy may be lacking in some cases, posing
an obstacle to the treatment of chronic illnesses. [6]
D. Technical challenges
The manufacturing of metaverse technology is a complex
and expensive process which is further hindered by technical
challenges. Additionally, the large size of the technology
makes it difficult to use with virtual reality glasses, which can
weigh up to 500 grams. Having to place this weight on one’s
head for an extended period of time can be uncomfortable and
inefficient. Therefore, it is essential to develop equipment that
is flexible, comfortable and easy to use, presenting a great
challenge for manufacturers. [9]
E. Information Security
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in the metaverse.” General Psychiatry,vol. 6, pp. 1-4, June 2022.
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[9] B. Mesko, ”The promise of the metaverse in cardiovascular health.”
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[11] KI. Afrashtehfar, and A. SH Abu-Fanas. ”Metaverse, crypto, and NFTs
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The security and privacy of financial data are paramount
when discussing metaverse technology. Exchange of this
sensitive information must be done in a secure manner to
ensure the safety and integrity of users’ data. Appropriate
measures should be taken to protect and safeguard financial
data, such as encryption, authentication, authorization, and
access control. Furthermore, it is important to consider the
legal implications of data sharing and transfer when utilizing
metaverse technology. [6]
VII. C ONCLUSION
Given the research exploring the concept of metaverse, its
relationship to health, and its potential pros and cons, it is
clear that the metaverse will have a considerable impact on the
world of health, particularly in the field of mental health. Communication is the bedrock of mental health, and the metaverse
provides an ideal platform for this. However, it also carries
potential risks. Social media applications have demonstrated
the effects of virtual reality seclusion from the real world, and
it is feared that these effects could manifest in other areas, such
as chronic diseases and ophthalmology. To ensure reliable and
user-friendly technology, there is a need for both ease-of-use
and effectiveness. The more complicated the technology, the
more tools and resources required, consequently driving up
prices. Fortunately, companies are actively working towards
this goal, and it is anticipated that effective results will emerge
in the near future.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
This research was enabled by the generous support of the
Applied Science Private University in Amman, Jordan.
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