Moreover, as exposed in the previous section, an important advantage of virtual reality is that it can be used to
enhance the development of proprioception, which at the same time can have additional advantages. The concept of
presence and consciousness in virtual reality systems was explored in the early- and mid-2000s.21,22 Medical
applications for this principle have been explored in the recent years with research works involving reducing
phantom limb pain,23,24 acquiring functional skills in patients with cerebral palsy,25 achieving upper limb
rehabilitation of stroke patients26 and improving balance and postural stability in patients with diabetic peripheral
neuropathy.27 Also, the application of virtual reality in neuroscience has been recently explored.