Rehab Reimagined Blogs & Research
Bridging the Gap: Clinician Perspectives on Integrating Virtual Reality into Therapy
In recent years, virtual reality (VR) has gained momentum as a powerful tool in rehabilitation settings. Yet, despite a growing body of evidence supporting its efficacy, successful VR adoption in physical and occupational therapy often hinges on more than just the technology itself — it depends on clinician leadership. Understanding therapists' experiences and perceptions is essential for making VR a meaningful, sustainable addition to patient care.
The Expanding Role of Virtual Reality in Neuro Rehab: Why AVRwell is on the Right Path
In my journey as a Physical Therapist, I’ve always believed in the power of innovation, especially when it has the potential to redefine independence for our patients. Over the last five years, I've witnessed how Virtual Reality (VR) has emerged not just as a novel adjunct to care, but as a transformative tool for patients across a wide range of conditions, from vestibular disorders and neurologic impairments to chronic pain, mobility limitations, and difficulties with functional daily tasks.
From Curiosity to Clarity: How Virtual Reality Could Reshape Concussion Recovery
Coming out of the course, I found myself thinking about how I could be even more creative in treating this population. I thought… What about VR? I already knew it could help, I’ve seen firsthand how powerful it is in rehab. It motivates patients, it engages multiple systems, and it meets them where they are. But this time, I wasn’t just interested in the big-picture benefits. I wanted to dig deeper into the research. I wanted to know: what does the science actually say about VR and concussion recovery, specifically?
Harnessing Virtual Reality for Parkinson’s Disease Rehabilitation: A Game-Changer in Balance and Mobility
As a professional working with PD patients, I have personally witnessed the benefits of VR and augmented reality (AR) in improving balance and stride length. Notably, I have observed carryover effects in posture following VR-based reaching activities, particularly with overhead and cross-body reaching. These improvements align with growing research that supports VR as an engaging and effective rehabilitation tool.
Occupational Therapy: Inspiring Hope, Changing Lives
Since the beginning of my career, I have had the privilege of learning and growing alongside so many outstanding occupational therapists. Their compassion, innovation, and dedication inspire me every day. They have taught me how to see the whole person, how to integrate creativity into rehabilitation, and how to empower patients to reclaim their independence in ways that truly matter to them.
AVRwell Brings Back the REAL System Rehabilitation Applications
At AVRwell Inc., our mission focuses on making extended reality (XR) rehabilitation more affordable, effective, and engaging for patients and clinicians alike. Today, we’re thrilled to announce a major step forward in that mission: We’ve secured a licensing agreement with Penumbra Inc. to port and distribute the rehabilitation applications we originally developed for the REAL System.
The Future of Physical Therapy: How Virtual Reality and Gamification Are Revolutionizing Rehabilitation
A recent systematic review by Calderone et al. (2025) found that VR and gamification significantly enhance rehabilitation outcomes for individuals with neuromuscular diseases (NMDs) by improving motivation, engagement, and adherence to therapy. As more clinicians recognize the importance of patient engagement, the use of immersive technologies in therapy is growing, transforming how rehabilitation is delivered.
Virtual Reality in TBI Rehabilitation: A Neuro Rehab PT’s Perspective
March is Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about brain injuries and advancing research and treatment approaches that help patients recover. As a neuro rehab physical therapist, I’ve worked closely with TBI patients and have seen firsthand the challenges they face in regaining independence. Rehabilitation is never one-dimensional—it requires an integrated approach that addresses motor recovery, cognitive function, and balance control all at once.
AVRwell at APTA CSM 2025
The APTA CSM conference in Houston was a whirlwind. It happened February 13 through the 15th. Three days packed with back-to-back demos, insightful conversations, and some really good feedback from PTs, students, and professors, as well as industry leaders. We left feeling inspired, a little exhausted, and more excited than ever about the future of XR in rehab.
Virtual Reality in Pain Management: A Breakthrough for Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation
In recent years, Virtual Reality (VR) has emerged as an innovative tool in healthcare, particularly in pain management for musculoskeletal disorders. As a healthcare professional, I have witnessed firsthand how VR can significantly reduce pain levels, enhance rehabilitation participation, and even eliminate the need for pain medication in some cases. Recent research supports these observations, highlighting VR’s effectiveness as a non-invasive, drug-free alternative to traditional pain relief methods.
Clinical Innovations in Virtual Reality: Insights from the Clinical Practice Guideline on Locomotor Function
VR is redefining rehabilitation by combining engagement, effectiveness, and patient-centered care. Its ability to deliver immersive, task-specific training environments enhances recovery outcomes, improves patient confidence, and reduces therapy barriers. With continued advancements, VR is poised to play an even greater role in personalized medicine, providing innovative solutions that empower patients and transform healthcare.
Transforming Rehabilitation with Virtual Reality: A Guide to Implementing VR Systems in Your Facility
Virtual Reality (VR) is rapidly gaining recognition as a transformative tool in rehabilitation, offering immersive environments that promote engagement and enhance functional outcomes. However, successfully integrating VR into clinical practice requires careful planning, resource allocation, and ongoing support. This blog post outlines strategies for healthcare providers to adopt VR technology effectively.
Empowering Healthcare Facilities with VR: The Key to Ownership, Customization, and Better Patient Outcomes
When healthcare facilities are able to own and manage their own hardware, they gain full control over the software and the content they’re using. This flexibility is key to tailoring VR to the specific challenges faced in a given facility, whether it’s accommodating older patients, creating specialized rehabilitation routines for stroke patients, or training clinicians for high-pressure situations (Halbig et al., 2023). Giving healthcare professionals the ability to choose the software that best fits their patient population and treatment goals helps eliminate the frustrations of all-in-one solutions that don’t fully meet the facility’s needs.
The Unseen Impact: How Physical Therapy Revolutionizes Visual Rehabilitation
Physical Therapy Revolutionizing Visual Rehabilitation
From Boredom to Motivation: Revolutionizing Rehabilitation with Virtual Reality Therapy
Revolutionizing Rehabilitation with Virtual Reality Therapy