GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — Montrose Regional Health is using new technology to help patients who suffer from dizziness and balance problems. This advanced system, called the Bertec virtual reality system, aims to reduce the risk of falls and improve stability for people with complex balance disorders.
Patients wear a virtual reality headset and hold controllers while standing on a balance plate. They are also secured in a safety harness for protection. JoAnn Yngsdal, a physical therapist at Montrose Regional Health, explained that the virtual reality puts patients in realistic settings like parks or stores. In these environments, patients face different balance challenges to help improve their stability. Yngsdal said most patients with vestibular disorders usually attend six to eight sessions, depending on their needs and recovery goals.
Montrose Regional Hospital is the only facility in the Grand Valley area offering this type of virtual reality treatment. The hospital views the technology as part of its mission to bring advanced healthcare services to the Western Slope. Yngsdal added that the system allows the hospital to perform more advanced testing and provide comprehensive rehabilitation locally, so patients do not need to travel far for treatment.
The Bertec system can be used safely on patients of all ages and health conditions. Montrose Regional Health notes that the treatment is non-invasive and poses no health risks. The hospital has had this technology for nearly a year and has already helped more than 100 patients with it.
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