Integrating the Metaverse Into Medical Practice: A Systematic Review of Its Potential and Applications

Area of Science:

• Digital Health and Medical Technology
• Virtual and Augmented Reality Applications in Medicine
• Healthcare Innovation

Background:

• The metaverse, a convergence of virtual and physical realities, offers immersive experiences with revolutionary potential for medical care.
• Current understanding of metaverse applications in healthcare is evolving, necessitating a review of existing research and development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore and synthesize current applications of metaverse technology across diverse medical specialties.
• To identify trends, implementation frameworks, and target groups for metaverse interventions in healthcare.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search conducted across five major electronic databases (Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, IEEE) following PRISMA guidelines.
• Qualitative analysis of 46 studies published between 2022 and 2024, focusing on medical domains, metaverse types, implementation, and target populations.

Main Results:

• Metaverse applications are prominent in medical education (15.22%), mental health (13.04%), and rehabilitation (13.04%), with virtual worlds being the most common type (50.00%).
• Research predominantly focuses on system design and development, targeting patients (47.06%) and medical students (23.53%) for treatment, education, and follow-up.
• South Korea leads in publications (24%), indicating a regional focus in current research.

Conclusions:

• Metaverse applications in healthcare are nascent, with current efforts centered on system design and feasibility rather than established clinical outcomes.
• Limited evidence of clinical effectiveness exists, despite the integration of emerging technologies like AI and blockchain.
• This review provides a roadmap for evidence-based advancement in understudied clinical areas within the metaverse.