VR provides distraction therapy

VR provides distraction therapy for patients

Rescape is pioneering the use of immersive technology to solve challenges in healthcare, such as reducing pain or anxiety and improving the patient experience.

Cardiff-based company Rescape has created DR.VR which enables pain, anxiety and stress management via virtual reality distraction therapy. The company has developed its product working closely with numerous clinical units from Velindre palliative team and the All Wales Adult Cystic Fibrosis Centre to a very successful feasibility study run by the ICU team in the Royal Glamorgan Hospital.

Initially six VR experiences were created, allowing patients to see cities around the world, animals, underwater environments and more. There were also some more adventurous experiences involving surfing, skydiving and other adrenaline fuelled activities. Each experience lasted 7.5 minutes and required the patient to be a participant rather than just a viewer, increasing engagement and immersing them in the virtual world. When developing DR.VR, a range of needs had to be met. For instance, it was vital for the system to be simple to use (for patients and clinicians), unlikely to cause motion sickness or dizziness, and easy to clean and disinfect. A tablet was used to control the system and also to collect data, allowing clinicians to monitor the anxiety/stress levels of patients pre- and post-experience. Initial trials were conducted with cystic fibrosis patients who were experiencing a lot

of stress and anxiety, and the results showed significant improvements following the VR distraction therapy. Rescape has now built on the success of DR.VR and created an innovative solution to reduce pain and anxiety for children in paediatric departments. DR.VR Junior allows clinicians to use distraction therapy during painful or stressful procedures. It was developed with a user-centric approach, working in collaboration with play specialists.

The system includes three meditative VR spaces, designed to help children control their breathing. Artic Beats is a VR game that uses audio to create a sense of flow, while 360 video content takes children on trips to visit dinosaurs, fly around space or swim with sharks. Clinicians and parents can see what the children are watching via a tablet.

DR.VR Junior has received impressive feedback from patients and clinicians, including a child with ADHD who was calmed after a repeat procedure and a cancer patient who used a nebuliser without complaining. Rescape even received a letter from a 10 year old boy, thanking them for helping reduce his pain when he had his arm reset. He knew it worked because he’d broken his other arm the month before so could compare!

The company recently won a Clwster grant to work alongside Cardiff and Vale Midwifery unit to develop a new product for maternity to help woman before, during and after labour.

VR is set to impact pain and anxiety management, and healthcare, more widely. The work Rescape is doing today is showing a path to how VR can be adopted at scale tomorrow.