Innovative Approaches to Veteran Rehabilitation in Ukraine
The Department of Health of the Odessa City Council is continuing to develop a rehabilitation system for Ukraine's defenders by incorporating elements of adaptive sports. Recently, an important meeting was held at the Odessa City Hall focusing on the prevention and correction of stress-related conditions in military personnel and veterans through health-promoting activities and esports.
Specialists from various medical facilities attended the event, including rehabilitation specialists, physical therapists, sports physicians, neurologists, psychologists, psychotherapists, and representatives from the city's Department of Physical Culture and Sports.
The head of the rehabilitation department, Vasyl Ryback, shared insights on key physical, mental, and neurological conditions that can be improved using esports and virtual reality methods.
He noted that sporting activities and regular training positively impact not only motor functions but also the mental capabilities of patients. Specifically, stimulating brain activity leads to improved cognitive functions, emotional regulation, sleep quality, as well as the development of willpower and self-discipline.
The initiative's primary goal is to develop a comprehensive program for the prevention and treatment of stress disorders with subsequent social adaptation. To achieve this, international health-promoting activity methodologies will be employed, including experiences from the USA, the UK, Belgium, and Switzerland, as well as a combination of physical and virtual activities in integrated rehabilitation programs.
It has been proposed to establish working groups at healthcare facilities providing rehabilitation services to implement esports. All institutions will receive unified methodological guidance and will be able to incorporate esports into individual rehabilitation programs, considering the unique characteristics of each patient.
Expected outcomes of integrating esports into the operations of city medical facility rehabilitation departments include improved physical condition of participants, reduced levels of stress and anxiety, and the formation of communities for social support through teamwork in esports and other group activities.
Veterans who underwent rehabilitation in Odessa's medical facilities also attended the meeting, sharing their positive experiences of significant health improvement through adaptive sports. Additionally, the use of virtual reality systems for individuals with disabilities was demonstrated.
