Rewriting the Brain—and the Bedside—with Immersive Technology

From the operating room to the ICU, immersive tech is reshaping care. Researchers and clinicians are leveraging holographic visualization and VR to tackle some of neuro- and critical-care’s toughest challenges—from guiding electrode placement in deep brain stimulation with HoloLens-based 3D mapping, to recreating PTSD triggers in controlled virtual environments to refine brain-stimulation therapies, to transforming early ICU mobilization with game-like experiences that boost patient engagement. Together, these tools provide richer physiologic and behavioral data, enable more precise clinical decisions, and open the door to personalized interventions that accelerate recovery and improve outcomes across neurologic, psychiatric, and critical-care populations.