Throughout history, new and emerging technologies have helped revolutionize and advance the field of medicine, allowing medical professionals to develop groundbreaking new procedures, work towards cures to previously incurable diseases, and much more. Healthcare practitioners are always looking for ways to use emerging technologies to transform their work, and today one of the top technologies available to revolutionize the healthcare space is Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR).

Over the past decade, AR and VR technology have become increasingly mainstream, with devices like the Oculus Rift, Meta Quest and the newly-released Apple Vision Pro making their way into consumers’ hands. As these technologies become more commonplace, they invite new opportunities for medical professionals to integrate them into clinical practices and workflows.—AR and VR have the potential to transform and enhance the way providers deliver healthcare services. 

As the world becomes more interconnected globally, there is an unprecedented need for healthcare professionals to collaborate effectively. AR and VR have emerged as the most optimal and immersive solutions for bringing together medical experts with niche skill sets, even when distance makes it impossible to be physically present. 

The Recent AR/VR Boom

While AR and VR technology has been around for some time, recent advancements have significantly expanded their capabilities in the medical field, from creating virtual environments for simulating procedures and providing hands-on learning experiences to overlaying data and offering immersive feedback for visualizing critical patient information. These applications have been dramatically expanded upon with recent technological advancements; now, doctors can interact with life-size 3D scans of patients, practice surgical techniques in highly detailed virtual environments, and gain deeper empathy by experiencing simulations from their patients’ perspectives.

AR/VR has the power to connect healthcare professionals from different locations, enabling them to collaborate and share their expertise when it matters most. In challenging medical situations, specialists can be brought in virtually to contribute their unique perspectives and skills, ensuring the best possible outcome for the patient. AR/VR can revolutionize medical education by allowing students to collaborate and learn together in immersive, interactive environments. By simulating complex procedures and real-world scenarios in a safe, controlled setting, this technology prepares future healthcare professionals to work effectively as a team and handle real-world situations with greater confidence and skill.

Empowering Medical Collaboration through AR and VR

When adopting AR/VR technologies, healthcare professionals must consider both the benefits for their practice and patients, as well as the technological requirements for successful implementation. Doctors should approach these technologies with a threefold perspective, assessing how they can address their challenges, enhance patient care, and drive innovation in the medical field. Professionally, AR/VR can streamline workflows, improve diagnostic accuracy, and facilitate remote collaboration. For patients, these technologies offer enhanced education and personalized treatment plans, tailored to each individual’s unique needs and preferences.

However, to successfully implement AR/VR in medicine, healthcare providers must ensure seamless integration and optimal performance. Communication via AR/VR technologies must operate on a strong and reliable network infrastructure to prevent disruptions during critical procedures. Healthcare providers must work closely with technology partners to ensure that the communication and collaboration functionality in their AR/VR systems are built on a solid foundation of high-speed, reliable, low-latency networks. Latency and signal loss could be a challenge in medical settings, particularly during remote collaborations and training where issues could prevent everyone from being on the same page and seeing important demonstrations in real time, which could in turn affect a doctor’s performance when presented with the scenario in a life-threatening situation.

In addition to network performance, privacy and security should be top priorities to prevent breaches of patient data. AR/VR systems should be designed with robust security measures that comply with relevant healthcare regulations, such as HIPAA. These measures should include HIPAA compliance, end-to-end encryption, access controls and SOC2 compliance/ISO certification to protect sensitive patient information. 

As AR and VR technologies continue to advance, their potential to transform medical collaboration and improve patient care is immense. By addressing the challenges and embracing the opportunities presented by these technologies, the healthcare industry can look forward to a future where distance is no longer a barrier to providing the best possible care to patients worldwide.

Looking to the Future

The AR/VR healthcare market is projected to reach $9.7 billion by 2027, indicating the value and importance of these technologies in the space. As technology advances, practical use cases and possibilities will expand. AR overlays will become more immersive and interactive, with new use cases like augmented surgery already emerging. Soon, doctors will interact with AR overlays remotely, conducting advanced procedures and collaborating on cures globally.

Collaboration has always been the key to medical advancement, with groundbreaking discoveries and lifesaving cures resulting from combined knowledge and skills. AR/VR now allows doctors to collaborate in immersive virtual environments, providing real-life and hands-on experience. This technology is crucial for improving medical innovation and patient care, driving the field of medicine forward.

About Wyatt Oren

Wyatt Oren is the Director of Sales for Education, Future of Work, and Telehealth at Agora, a global leader in real time communication, classroom technology, and virtual learning. In his role, Wyatt helps businesses, entrepreneurs, and institutions make experiences within AR/VR, mobile, metaverse, and desktop applications more engaging for users. Before joining Agora, Wyatt co-founded the EdTech platform, Applejax, as well as the social app, Barhero Inc, which went on to be acquired by Airtab, inc in 2018.

What You Should Know: 

– Osso VR, the leader in immersive procedural training launches Osso Health, a medical training app designed for Apple Vision Pro.  

– Now available on the App Store, Osso Health leverages the power of Apple Vision Pro to create an optimized learning experience for healthcare professionals and patients alike.

Bringing the Operating Room to Life

Osso Health seamlessly blends digital content with the physical world, transporting users into a realistic surgical environment. This is achieved by utilizing detailed, clinically accurate workflows of common procedures, allowing learners to visualize and interact with these procedures in a way never before possible. The app utilizes detailed, clinically accurate workflows for common procedures, allowing users to virtually walk through each step.

Democratizing Procedural Education

The launch of Osso Health marks a significant milestone in making procedural education more accessible.  Previously, this type of training was often limited to medical schools and simulation labs. 

Now, Osso Health empowers a wider audience:

• Healthcare professionals: Medical students, residents, and practicing physicians can access on-demand, hands-on learning from anywhere.
• Patients: Individuals preparing for surgery can gain valuable insights into the procedures they will undergo, reducing anxiety and promoting informed decision-making.
• Medical Enthusiasts: Anyone interested in medical innovation can explore the intricacies of surgical procedures in a safe and controlled environment.

Immersive Learning with Apple Vision Pro

Osso Health takes full advantage of Apple Vision Pro’s advanced features. The app utilizes a brand-new three-dimensional user interface and input system, controlled entirely by the user’s eyes, hands, and voice. This intuitive approach allows users to explore procedures seamlessly and effectively.

Initial Focus on Orthopedic Procedures

Currently, Osso Health focuses on two common orthopedic procedures: Carpal Tunnel Release and Total Knee Replacement.  Users can walk through these procedures step-by-step using Apple Vision Pro’s spatial computing technology. This allows learners to explore complex medical procedures in a realistic, secure, and contextually relevant setting.

“Osso Health for Apple Vision Pro opens up exciting possibilities for the future of immersive procedural education,” said Justin Barad, MD, Co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Osso VR. ”Apple Vision Pro unlocks new opportunities to scale spatial computing in healthcare with groundbreaking display quality and virtually lag-free learning experience, helping solve important challenges to education in healthcare.”

Augmented reality and virtual reality are innovative technologies that can provide tremendous benefits to the healthcare industry, bringing a deeper understanding of complex medical concepts to healthcare professionals and patients alike. Already, the integration of data analytics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, telemedicine, and interoperability have begun to shift how healthcare is delivered; away from care that’s centered around disease management and toward care that’s more holistic, personalized, and patient-centric. But where should healthcare organizations start when looking to adopt these new technologies? Here are three areas in which healthcare professionals can tap extended reality technologies like augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) to find increased utility at the onset. 

Medical training 

One area where AR and VR applications can deliver increased utility right away is via medical training. Both AR and VR applications can be used to provide a three-dimensional understanding of complex medical concepts, allowing healthcare professionals to enhance a wide variety of skills. At some healthcare institutions like Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford and Kaiser Permanente, VR has already emerged as a transformative tool for refining employee competencies. 

For instance, AR and VR technologies offer clinicians the ability to interact with and understand complex medical devices; giving them invaluable hands-on experience. These immersive experiences not only enhance clinician proficiency but also ensure that patients benefit from the latest advancements in medical technology.

Another use case for immersive VR experiences is nurse empathy training. Training via this method enables nurses to gain firsthand insights into the challenges and perspectives associated with various medical conditions. So far, it has proven to be more impactful than traditional methods, fostering a deeper understanding of the nuances tied to specific health conditions and enhancing inclusivity in healthcare interactions.

Personalized patient care

For decades, traditional healthcare models have centered around disease management. But now, the dynamic is shifting, placing patients at the core. Modernized approaches to healthcare emphasize the importance of personalized, patient-centric care; a more individualized healthcare experience that is not a one-size-fits-all approach. By leveraging technology like AR and VR to understand and respond to unique patient needs, preferences, histories, and conditions, healthcare professionals can provide more personalized and holistic care.

Via a more personalized approach to care, clinicians can also foster a sense of empowerment and engagement among patients, contributing to better adherence to treatment plans and improved health outcomes overall. Access to integrated health data, telemedicine for remote consultations, and user-friendly interfaces enhance patients’ ability to understand and manage their health more easily, leading to better communication, shared decision-making, and improved health literacy. 

Immersive treatment solutions

In the realm of physical therapy, extended reality technologies like VR are reshaping diagnostics and treatment planning. Through immersive simulations, healthcare professionals gain a powerful tool for precise assessments, real-time monitoring, and the creation of tailored rehabilitation plans. This transformative approach enhances clinicians’ capabilities, ensuring more personalized and effective interventions for patients.
 

However, recognizing that advanced technologies can play a central role in healthcare necessitates a re-evaluation of trust dynamics, considering both patients and healthcare professionals. Transparently addressing patient concerns, investing in training programs, and supporting mechanisms for healthcare professionals ensures that any technology used will be viewed as a collaborative tool for augmenting capabilities, not as a replacement for essential roles in clinical decision-making and treatment planning. Taking this approach advances healthcare practices and reinforces the collaborative nature of partnerships between people and technology.
 

Navigating the digital landscape is an exciting step in enhancing the efficiency of healthcare delivery. However, it’s important not to overlook the need to establish digital literacy across both healthcare professionals and patients. There are several measures to keep in mind before leveraging AR and VR. For successful technology implementation, ongoing training programs are pivotal for ensuring that healthcare professionals adeptly utilize digital tools, including electronic health records and telemedicine. On the flip side, patient education initiatives will help empower individuals to navigate digital tools effectively, contributing to a more informed and engaged patient population. Initiatives focusing on cybersecurity awareness will also be crucial for maintaining trust in the digital healthcare ecosystem as well, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding sensitive health information.

About Jessica Rengstorf, Director, U.S Healthcare Strategy at Endava  
Jessica Rengstorf Director, U.S Healthcare Strategy at Endava has over 15 years of experience in the healthcare industry. With a background in health insurance, public health, employer-based benefits, and digital health point solutions, she understands the complex challenges of the healthcare ecosystem. She holds a Master of Public Health degree in public health administration and policy from the University of Minnesota and focuses on healthcare strategy at Endava.

What You Should Know:

– Curavit Clinical Research, a leader in decentralized clinical trials (DCTs) for digital therapeutics (DTx), successfully completed a study for the Sana Device, a virtual reality (VR) mask aiming to reduce post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms.

– Overall, this study represents a significant step forward in the development of VR-based treatments for PTSD. If approved, the Sana Device could offer a valuable tool for patients struggling with this condition.

Study Details

More than 45 patients were recruited from a Veteran’s hospital to participate in the 28-day study. Curavit exceeded Sana’s expectations for participant retention with a 76% retention rate. Curavit CRCs captured participant experience with the Sana Device using industry-standard PHQ-9 survey and the Columbia Suicide Severity Risk Scale (C-SSRS) to capture levels of depression – all done remotely using electronic patient-reported outcomes assessments.

The Sana Device is a wearable device that aims to offer anxiety relief on-demand. The trial was carried out with a grant from CDMRP funds, disbursed through the Military Operational Medicine Research Program (part of the DoD). It was designed to gather evidence on the Device’s ability to allow patients suffering from PTSD to gain additional relief whilst on waiting lists for further specialty care.

Potential Impact

– Improved access to care: The Sana Device could offer on-demand anxiety relief for PTSD sufferers, especially those waiting for specialized treatment.

– Market access and affordability: Demonstrating healthcare economic value can lead to wider insurance coverage and reimbursement.

– Paving the way for DTx: Curavit’s HEOR services help DTx companies gather real-world data to secure market access and impact patient lives.

“Sana Health’s origin story is emblematic of the company’s determination to bring innovative treatments to patients suffering from a range of disorders, and we are honored to help them along this journey,” concluded Joel Morse, CEO and co-founder of Curavit. “Our virtual site model with integrated HEOR data capture is key to helping companies like Sana reach both their scientific and commercial goals faster and give more patients alternative or complementary non-invasive treatment options.”

What You Should Know:

– ByteDance, the global tech giant, announced a new partnership with XRHealth, a leading healthcare platform leveraging spatial computing, to offer its employees access to VR therapy benefits.

– By offering convenient, engaging, and effective VR therapy solutions, ByteDance prioritizes the well-being of its workforce, fostering a healthier and happier employee population.

Immersive VR Therapy

Under the partnership, ByteDance employees will gain access to XRHealth’s comprehensive suite of VR therapy programs, encompassing both physical (rehabilitation, physical therapy) and behavioral (anxiety, PTSD, stress relief) conditions. These immersive treatments can be accessed on-demand from the comfort of their homes or at designated ByteDance clinics.

VR Therapy Benefits

XRHealth’s VR therapy programs offer several advantages over traditional methods:

• Increased engagement and adherence: The interactive virtual environment fosters higher engagement and treatment plan adherence, leading to better outcomes.
• Real-time data insights: Clinicians and patients gain access to valuable data insights, enabling continuous monitoring and adjustments for optimal results.
• Accessibility and convenience: Home-based VR therapy removes barriers to care, making it accessible to a wider range of individuals.

“ByteDance aims to provide our employees with meaningful and effective benefits,” says Todd Wells, ByteDance’s Americas benefit leader. “XRHealth’s Virtual Reality Therapy services allow our employees to conveniently access effective tools to improve their physical and mental health from the comfort of their homes. We are excited about the potential for this partnership.”

What You Should Know:

– TRIPP, the award-winning wellness company, announces its arrival on the highly anticipated Apple Vision Pro, redefining the boundaries of personalized well-being experiences.

– The integration with Apple Vision Pro unlocks TRIPP’s most immersive and visually captivating journey yet, seamlessly blending awe-inspiring worldscapes with users’ surroundings through Apple Vision Pro’s groundbreaking spatial computing capabilities.

Reimagining Wellness with Apple Vision Pro

• Enhanced Visuals: TRIPP’s already mesmerizing worldscapes are now rendered in stunning high resolution, amplifying the immersive effect and transporting users to new realms of wonder.
• Spatial Blending: Apple Vision Pro’s unique capabilities seamlessly integrate TRIPP’s content with the user’s physical environment, blurring the lines between reality and digital worlds.
• Personalized Journeys: This innovative technology allows for even more tailored experiences, with elements adapting to the user’s surroundings and preferences.

Beyond Visualization: A Holistic Approach to Well-being

TRIPP’s success goes beyond stunning visuals. It combines:

• Awe-inspiring worldscapes: Designed to evoke feelings of wonder and tranquility.
• Binaural sound frequencies: Precisely crafted soundscapes enhance immersion and guide the user’s experience.
• AI-powered breath detection: Real-time feedback helps users deepen their breathing and manage stress.
• Gamification: Fun and engaging elements motivate users to stay on track with their wellness goals.
• Mindfulness structures: Guided meditations and exercises promote relaxation and focus.

VR Experience Enagement

Unlike many VR experiences, TRIPP’s active users demonstrate remarkable engagement, with 43% returning 2-3 times a week. Additionally, its user base boasts a diverse demographic, with 57% male and 43% female users worldwide, showcasing its ability to cater to various needs and preferences.

“Bringing TRIPP to Apple Vision Pro exemplifies our dedication to pioneering cutting-edge technology for next-generation wellness solutions,” said Nanea Reeves, Founder and CEO at TRIPP. “With Apple Vision Pro, users will not only see a major visual upgrade across all our immersive worldscapes, but it will set the stage for a whole new generation of TRIPP.”

What You Should Know:

– Cedars-Sinai clinicians have teamed up with AI experts to develop an AI-powered VR therapy app, Xaia, that leverages the power of Apple Vision Pro to offer an immersive, accessible approach to mental health support.

– By harnessing the power of AI and virtual reality, the app offers a convenient, engaging, and effective way for individuals to manage their mental well-being. As technology continues to evolve, apps like Xaia hold immense potential to democratize access to quality care and empower individuals to prioritize their mental health.

AI Meets Virtual Reality

Xaia offers patients a self-administered, AI-driven therapy experience within the calming environment of virtual reality. Imagine yourself in a serene meadow by a babbling brook or on a sun-drenched beach, guided by a friendly AI avatar trained to mimic a human therapist. This immersive setting allows users to engage in deep breathing exercises, meditation, and personalized conversations designed to address their mental health needs.

From Research to Reality: A Transformative Step

Dr. Omer Liran, a psychiatrist at Cedars-Sinai and co-founder of Xaia, emphasizes the app’s potential to revolutionize mental health accessibility: “Xaia represents a transformative step in making quality therapy accessible to all.”

The app’s development is backed by extensive research. A groundbreaking study published in Nature Digital Medicine demonstrated the app’s effectiveness and safety for patient use. This research, coupled with Cedars-Sinai’s Technology Ventures program, paved the way for bringing Xaia to life.

While Xaia is not intended to replace traditional therapy, it has the potential to reach individuals who might otherwise struggle to access mental healthcare.

“Apple Vision Pro offers a gateway into Xaia’s world of immersive, interactive behavioral health support—making strides that I can only describe as a quantum leap beyond previous technologies,” said Brennan Spiegel, MD, MSHS, professor of Medicine, director of Health Services Research at Cedars-Sinai and co-founder of the Xaia technology. “With Xaia and the stunning display in Apple Vision Pro, we are able to leverage every pixel of that remarkable resolution and the full spectrum of vivid colors to craft a form of immersive therapy that’s engaging and deeply personal.”

What You Should Know:

– XRHealth, the leading healthcare platform in Spatial Computing, announced today a $6M funding round led by Asabys Partners, with participation from NOVA Prime Fund and XRHealth’s existing investors.

– This milestone follows the successful merger with Amelia Virtual Care, solidifying XRHealth’s position as the largest extended reality (XR) platform encompassing mental, physical, and occupational health.

VR/AR Meets Patient Needs

XRHealth’s platform leverages virtual clinics, immersive VR/AR experiences, and advanced data analytics to empower healthcare providers. Patients receive treatment from the comfort of their homes for a wide range of conditions, including acute and chronic pain, post-stroke rehabilitation, fibromyalgia, anxiety, stress, dementia, and more.

Growth Plans

The funding will support the integration of XRHealth and Amelia Virtual Care, creating a powerhouse platform for immersive healthcare experiences. In addition, the funding will fuel the development of an AI-powered clinician, alleviating the burden on human healthcare professionals and expanding access to care for millions globally.

“This funding empowers us to accelerate the growth of our platform, democratizing healthcare through immersive VR/AR technology and AI. We’re excited to pioneer an AI clinician in Spatial Computing, opening doors to a future where everyone receives quality care, regardless of location,” said Eran Orr, CEO of XRHealth.

What You Should Know:

– The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is taking a major step forward in pain management by expanding its contract with AppliedVR, a provider of immersive therapeutics (ITx) using virtual reality (VR).

– This contract expansion will significantly increase access to RelieVRx®, the first and only FDA-authorized in-home VR treatment for chronic lower back pain (CLBP).\

Continue Use of Virtual Reality for Treating Chronic Low Back Pain

Chronic pain affects over 50% of Veterans receiving care at VA facilities, making it a critical area of focus.

VA Immersive, a division of the VA, is spearheading this initiative, aiming to integrate cutting-edge technology like VR into their healthcare system. AppliedVR and VA share a common vision to transform pain care for Veterans through access to innovative treatments like RelieVRx. RelieVRx offers a non-pharmacological, noninvasive treatment option, potentially reducing reliance on medication and its side effects.

The expanded contract will provide more Veterans with access to RelieVRx in the comfort of their own homes. The eight-week program has been shown to decrease pain intensity and improve quality of life for CLBP patients, with durable effects lasting up to 24 months.

“VA Immersive has been a trailblazer that is consistently at the forefront of health care innovation, actively fostering exploration and integration of cutting-edge technologies to enhance health care delivery and services,” said Matthew Stoudt, Co-founder and CEO of AppliedVR. “VA Immersive’s mission to set national standards for leveraging VR will accelerate the adoption of immersive therapeutics across VA, enabling our wounded warriors to receive next-generation treatments like RelieVRx.”

This expanded partnership between AppliedVR and the VA has the potential to revolutionize pain management for Veterans and pave the way for wider adoption of VR-based treatments in healthcare. By offering effective, non-invasive options, VR therapy can significantly improve the lives of millions of individuals suffering from chronic pain.

What You Should Know:

– Smileyscope™, a pioneer in virtual reality (VR) therapeutic solutions, has received Class II clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its Smileyscope™ Therapy system.

– The FDA clearance marks Smileyscope as the first and only VR Analgesic™ available in the US.

Digital Therapeutics Leadership

Smileyscope’s FDA clearance underscores its leadership in Digital Therapeutics, a category defined as delivering medical interventions directly to patients through evidence-based, clinically evaluated software. The Digital Therapeutics market is projected to reach 32.5 billion USD by 2030.

Procedural Choreography™ Patent

The FDA clearance included an evaluation of Smileyscope’s patented Procedural Choreography™ technique, a proprietary method that replaces negative real-world stimuli (e.g., a needle) with positive virtual stimuli (e.g., a friendly fish). This technique enhances safety and efficacy and serves as the foundation for future therapeutic products.

Clinical Trials

Smileyscope’s studies, the world’s largest randomized trials in procedural VR, demonstrated significant reductions in child self-rated pain (up to 60%) and anxiety (up to 40%). The trials also showed benefits in caregiver distress (up to 75%) and a reduction in the use of physical restraints (up to 48%).

Future Expansion

Smileyscope aims to build on this success with a robust pipeline of drug-free pain and anxiety management treatments for common medical procedures across age groups. The company envisions widespread adoption in hospitals, doctor’s offices, and an expanded range of patients benefiting from their drug-free treatments.

“We were thrilled to receive this FDA Class II clearance. The FDA affirms Smileyscope’s long-held position that we are a transformational, therapeutic VR device, raising the standard of care,” said Dr. Evelyn Chan, CEO and co-founder of Smileyscope.

What You Should Know:

– AppliedVR, an immersive therapeutics pioneer, conducted a large randomized controlled trial (RCT) on virtual reality (VR) therapy for treating chronic low back pain (CLBP) at home.

– Results of the study were published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings: Digital Health and demonstrated that AppliedVR’s RelieVRx program produced clinically meaningful improvements in adults with CLBP.

– AppliedVR aims to provide a non-pharmacological and non-invasive approach to treating chronic pain, with potential for long-lasting effects.

The RelieVRx Program Study and Results

The study included data from over 1,000 participants, with approximately half undergoing treatment with the RelieVRx program over eight weeks. Participants completing the RelieVRx program experienced an average reduction of 2.0 points in pain intensity on a numerical rating scale from zero to 10, along with a 2.3-point reduction in pain interference.

The RelieVRx program is a self-administered behavioral skills VR program authorized by the FDA for treating CLBP, incorporating principles of cognitive behavioral therapy, diaphragmatic breathing, biofeedback, cognition and emotion regulation, mindfulness, and pain education. Each chapter of interactive VR therapy builds upon the last to induce neuroplasticity, regulating neural regions associated with pain for long-lasting change. In previous clinical research, the RelieVRx program was shown to deliver durable effects up to 24 months after treatment completion.

Impact of Chronic Pain

The study aligns with AppliedVR’s efforts to secure reimbursement through CMS and expand access to its VR therapy for veterans through VA sites. Chronic pain is a significant healthcare concern with substantial economic and societal costs in the United States. Research has suggested that more than 72 million Americans suffer from chronic low back pain, with the condition being a leading cause of disability.”

“Pain is a complex condition that requires a multidisciplinary treatment approach. However, traditional clinical guidelines have over-relied on medications or surgical procedures, which can be costly and ineffective over the long term,” said Dr. Beth Darnall, AppliedVR chief science advisor, who co-authored the study. “This landmark study builds on our previous research at a much larger scale and demonstrates that RelieVRx can be a powerful tool in providers’ tool belts for treating people experiencing chronic low back pain.”

What You Should Know: 

– XRHealth today announced that they are currently deploying hundreds of VR headsets in Israel to treat patients coping with anxiety, stress, and PTSD as a result of the recent Hamas attacks. 

– The distribution of the headsets will span across 30 hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities and mental health centers throughout Israel (including three Clalit hospitals).

Assisting Patients Coping with Anxiety, Stress, and PTSD

Just 48-hours after the attacks, XRHealth mobilized to deliver the headsets to Israel to assist with the treatment and recovery of patients. XRHealth provides VR/AR therapy to patients suffering from both mental and physical conditions and can treat patients from the comfort of their home or at a healthcare facility.

The headsets in Israel will feature, XRHealth’s Patient Xperience software, that aims to alleviate the burden on clinicians by providing patients with a user-friendly interface, eliminating the need for the provider’s constant attention. Patient Xperience enables patients to engage in meditation, self-relaxation, stress, and anxiety relief in fifty-three different environments. 

“As soon as we heard about the attacks in Israel, we wanted to make sure that as a company we were positioned to help assist the survivors of the Hamas attacks and the people of Israel through the recovery process,” says Eran Orr, CEO of XRHealth. “Currently we are deploying hundreds of headsets; however, it is clear to us that the need for mental health interventions combined with the shortage of mental health clinicians in the current situation requires even more. Our goal is to deploy 10,000 VR headsets since we believe that VR can be a solution for patient mental health recovery while a provider assists them. We are actively looking for donations to support the deployment of the project in Israel.”

Donate Headsets to Israel

Anyone interested in donating headsets to Israel, please contact XRHealth at info@xr.health.

What You Should Know: 

• TRIPP, a global XR wellness company, announced the completion of TRIPP PsyAssist’s Phase 1 Proof Of Concept (POC) Feasibility Study. 
• The first phase of the breakthrough study shows virtual reality (VR) as an effective tool to help patients prepare for ketamine-assisted therapy

Research Background

The study focuses on investigating the effects of a Virtual Reality (VR) experience before Ketamine dosing and was conducted at the esteemed Kadima Neuropsychiatry Institute in San Diego, with analysis provided by Valis Biosciences. The Journal of Psychopharmacology reports 50% of participants who received ketamine treatment showed significant improvement in their PTSD symptoms. Despite psychedelics gaining ground in mainstream medicine, patients still need help managing pre-session anxiety, onboarding effectively, and integrating their experiences after treatment, whether in a clinic or at home. 

Phase 1 of the TRIPP PsyAssist study aimed to determine the feasibility and acceptability of guided, meditative imagery delivered in virtual reality on the Pico Neo 3 Pro Eye headset as a pre-treatment program in a real-world clinical context. Participants for the study were recruited from patients who had already consented to receive ketamine treatments for their depression or anxiety at Kadima. The study also assessed participant satisfaction, engagement and usage to determine the feasibility and acceptability of this approach prior to these consciousness-altering experiences. 

Key preliminary findings* from the data gathered include: 

• 80% of users reported wanting to use the system frequently. 
• 100% of users found the various functions in the system well integrated. 
• 90% of users imagine most people would learn to use this system quickly. 
• 100% of users felt very confident using the system. 

What You Should Know: 

• Wolters Kluwer Health and Laerdal Medical have officially launched vrClinicals for Nursing. The virtual reality (VR) based learning solution helps address today’s gaps in nursing education and the nursing workforce, allowing students to go from the classroom to a busy hospital ward where they encounter true-to-life challenges such as prioritizing care among multiple patients and the demands of practice.
• vrClinicals for Nursing was designed with instructors and students from a dozen leading nursing programs in collaboration with Laerdal Medical and evolving multi-patient scenarios authored by the  National League for Nursing (NLN). Together, these organizations executed on a vision to bring the benefits of VR to nursing education, going beyond the inherent limitations of real-life clinical practice students and nursing educators face today.

VR Training for Nurse Education

A recent study found that 55% of new nurses have made medical errors, as result of inexperience and rushing, to name a few reasons. Facing the pressures of practice without the skills to recover and build resilience is also creating a high dissatisfaction for young nursing professionals. In fact, nearly one-third (32.8%) of registered nurses left their job within the first year. With VR, nursing students can build and practice the skill sets needed, mimicking clinical practice decision-making in a busy hospital setting, prioritizing multiple patients and competing care demands. These new technologies also allow for scalability that was previously unattainable for nursing schools. An entire cohort of students can now run through multi-patient scenarios and receive feedback immediately after from their instructors.

“Unlike any other simulation modality, VR provides students with a sense of immediacy and realism from being in the moment, because all of your senses are engaged,” said Julie Stegman, Vice President, Nursing Segment, Health Learning, Research & Practice at Wolters Kluwer, Health. “We know the transition from school into practice can be extremely difficult and it’s our responsibility to work with nurse educators to help students truly prepare for their real-life jobs. By better preparing nurses through their transition to practice, they can become more clinically confident – which allows for higher job satisfaction and better patient care.“

vrClinicals not only helps nursing students build the key skills to transition from education to practice, but the solution is also built to help prepare students for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX®) – which is the required adaptive test for nursing graduates to successfully pass to be licensed as a Registered Nurse. Starting this year, students taking the Next Generation NCLEX® exam, won’t just be tested on what they know, but how they think. The new test is now focused on evaluating the student’s ability to demonstrate the use of clinical judgment when responding to clinical questions, much like how they would need to think on the job.

Nursing school testers for vrClinicals for Nursing included Villanova University, Indiana University, University of Rochester, University of Massachusetts Boston, University of Central Florida, University of Virginia, and more.

What You Should Know:

• Today, global holographic healthcare training providers, GigXR, announce a second Phase II Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) contract to develop holographic simulation training for the 354th Medical Group United States Air Force (USAF).
• The contract signifies another step forward for XR as a means to deliver hyper-realistic, immersive training tools. GigXR has been selected to create Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) training built for its TIME award-winning HoloScenarios application.

Innovations in Holographic Simulation Training Set to Improve Combat Care

GigXR will create high-stress, safe-to-fail situations that incorporate sounds, such as gunshots, explosions and helicopters overhead, to better mimic the experience of combat care. The module will also include realistic visualizations of injuries such as blast wounds, broken legs, shrapnel inflictions and more. Learners will be able to encounter these immersive experiences in a lab, classroom, remotely in an at-home study space, or outdoors.

“We are always extremely proud whenever we get to build something for the U.S. Military,” said Jared Mermey, CEO at GigXR. “The mixed reality healthcare training that GigXR delivers is built to better prepare for what might be seen in the field. The immersive experiences provide far more advantages to the analog alternatives in terms of realism, cost to deliver, and operational burden, especially when deploying this critical content at scale.”GigXR’s growing partnership ecosystem continues to power a rapidly expanding immersive learning library delivered by the Gig Immersive Learning Platform. The company is trusted by academic institutions across four continents, including nursing and medical schools and teaching hospitals, including: Kaiser Permanente School of Medicine, Miami Dade College, Ursuline College, Leeds University, The University of Queensland, Otago Polytechnic and more.