Innovative Rehabilitation for Ukrainian Defenders through Esports
The Odessa City Department of Health is actively introducing new rehabilitation methods for Ukrainian defenders by incorporating elements of adaptive sports. Recently, a meeting was held at the city hall focused on the prevention and correction of stress-related conditions in veterans through physical activity and esports.
Specialists from various medical institutions participated in the event, including rehabilitation specialists, physical therapists, sports doctors, neurologists, and psychologists, along with representatives from the city's Department of Physical Culture and Sports.
Vasyl Rybak, head of the rehabilitation department, shared insights on the positive effects that can be achieved through esports and virtual reality. He noted that regular physical activity can significantly improve not only the physical state but also the mental health of patients by stimulating brain function, enhancing cognitive abilities, regulating emotions, and contributing to better sleep.
The primary goal of this initiative is to develop a comprehensive program for the prevention and treatment of stress disorders, which includes social adaptation. International approaches to physical activity will be utilized, drawing on experiences from countries such as the USA, UK, Belgium, and Switzerland, merging physical and virtual activities in rehabilitation programs.
There are proposals to create working groups based in medical facilities offering rehabilitation services to implement esports. All establishments will receive unified methodological recommendations, allowing them to incorporate esports into rehabilitation programs tailored to individual patient needs.
The expected outcomes of introducing esports into the rehabilitation departments will include improved physical condition of participants, reduced stress and anxiety levels, and the formation of communities for social support through teamwork.
Veterans who have undergone rehabilitation in Odessa's medical institutions attended the meeting and shared their positive experiences of improved health through adaptive sports. The use of virtual reality systems for individuals with disabilities was also demonstrated.
