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 Importance of Clinician Perspectives

Therapists are the bridge between innovation and patient outcomes. Research published in the American Journal of Occupational Therapy highlights that clinicians largely view VR as a promising adjunct to traditional therapy, citing increased patient motivation, engagement, and opportunities for skill practice (AOTA, 2022). Therapists appreciate that VR can simulate real-world tasks while offering adjustable challenges that promote goal-directed movements.

Recent studies further support these findings. A 2024 meta-analysis by Xu et al. emphasized that VR interventions significantly improve both motor function and cognitive outcomes across a variety of patient populations. Additionally, Cacchio et al. (2023) demonstrated that immersive VR leads to higher patient satisfaction and therapy adherence when compared to conventional therapy approaches.

How We Can Lead the Way as a Profession

As physical and occupational therapists, we have a responsibility not just to implement new technologies, but to guide their adoption thoughtfully and purposefully. It is essential that we:

• Champion Evidence-Based Practices: Emphasize the growing body of research supporting VR’s clinical effectiveness, helping stakeholders feel confident in adopting these tools.

• Develop Clear Implementation Pathways: Provide structured training, clear protocols, and practical resources to make VR integration seamless.

• Focus on Clinical Relevance: Prioritize applications that align with functional outcomes, ensuring VR complements, not replaces, foundational therapy principles.

• Advocate for Patient-Centered Design: Push for VR systems that are adaptable to individual patient goals, abilities, and interests, enhancing both engagement and outcomes.

In my role supporting facilities across the country, I've seen firsthand that successful adoption hinges on clinician empowerment. When therapists understand the "why" and "how" behind VR, they become innovators, using technology not as a gimmick but as a meaningful tool for rehabilitation.

Key Benefits Identified by Therapists

• Enhanced Motivation: VR’s interactive nature captures patients' attention, leading to greater engagement and longer periods of focused activity (Laver et al., 2017).

• Functional Relevance: Many VR applications allow therapists to simulate real-world activities, helping patients bridge therapy exercises to everyday tasks (Howard, 2017).

• Flexibility and Adaptability: Clinicians value the ability to adjust VR experiences based on patient needs, whether it’s changing difficulty levels or targeting specific impairments (Pallesen et al., 2018).

Challenges and Barriers to Adoption

Despite the promise of VR, barriers remain. Time constraints, uncertainty about best practices, hardware reliability issues, and upfront costs continue to challenge integration (Proffitt & Lange, 2015; Levac et al., 2019). It is through ongoing education, peer mentorship, and advocacy that we can overcome these barriers and foster broader adoption.

AVRwell's Vision: Empowering Clinicians for Success

At AVRwell, we believe VR should enhance, not complicate, clinical practice. Our mission is to create therapeutic VR applications that are intuitive, evidence-based, and deeply connected to real-world therapy goals. We are committed to providing:

• Ease of Use: Quick setup and streamlined user interfaces.

• Clinical Relevance: Applications built with therapist collaboration, targeting tangible functional outcomes.

• Support and Training: Resources designed to empower, not overwhelm, clinicians.

By aligning innovation with clinical wisdom, we can elevate patient care to new heights.

Closing Thought

As Occupational Therapy Month comes to a close, I want to take a moment to thank all the incredible Occupational Therapists who are boldly pushing technology forward. Your innovation, creativity, and commitment to patient care have helped lay the foundation for a rehabilitation landscape that is ready to embrace meaningful technological change. Your leadership has shown that thoughtful innovation can drive better outcomes and improve lives every day.

The future of rehabilitation is immersive, patient-centered, and driven by therapists who never stop believing in what’s possible. The integration of VR into therapy isn’t just about keeping up with technology; it’s about harnessing it to deliver better outcomes, foster independence, and change lives.

References:

• American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). (2022). Virtual Reality for Improving Cognitive Outcomes in Rehabilitation. American Journal of Occupational Therapy.

• Laver, K., George, S., Thomas, S., Deutsch, J. E., & Crotty, M. (2017). Virtual reality for stroke rehabilitation. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.

• Howard, M. C. (2017). A meta-analysis and systematic literature review of virtual reality rehabilitation programs. Computers in Human Behavior.

• Pallesen, H., Andersen, M. B., Hansen, G. M., Lundquist, C. B., & Brunner, I. (2018). Patients' and health professionals' experiences of using virtual reality technology for upper limb training after stroke: A qualitative substudy. Rehabilitation Research and Practice.

• Proffitt, R., & Lange, B. (2015). User centered design and development of a game for therapy: A case study. Games for Health Journal.

• Levac, D. E., Glegg, S. M. N., Sveistrup, H., Colquhoun, H., & Miller, P. (2019). Best practice recommendations for the implementation of virtual reality in rehabilitation. Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation.

• Xu, T., Lin, M., Zhang, Y., & Huang, J. (2024). Efficacy of Virtual Reality on Rehabilitation Outcomes: A Meta-Analysis. Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development.

• Cacchio, A., De Blasis, E., De Blasis, V., & Santilli, V. (2023). Immersive Virtual Reality in Physical Rehabilitation: A Randomized Controlled Trial. European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine.