Rehab Reimagined Blogs & Research
XR in Rehab: What’s New in 2025 and Why It Matters for Reimbursement
XR is reshaping rehabilitation, no longer a novel tool, it’s evolving into a core component of modern physical and occupational therapy. As clinics grow more comfortable with immersive tech, 2025 marks a pivotal moment: the conversation is shifting from “does it work?” to “how do we pay for it?”
Exploring the Future of XR in Rehab: Thank You, A.T. Still University
This past week, I had the incredible opportunity to speak at A.T. Still University and engage with a passionate group of future clinicians about a subject close to my heart: the role of extended reality (XR) in rehabilitation. I want to extend my deepest thanks to the students and faculty who welcomed me so warmly. It was not only an honor to teach but also a joy to witness the curiosity, insight, and enthusiasm that filled the room.
Combating Depression with Virtual Reality: Emerging Therapies and Outcomes
Mental health challenges are often an invisible but profound consequence of injury, illness, and trauma. As a physical therapist, I see firsthand how patients grappling with new limitations often experience significant emotional distress. The loss of independence, changes in lifestyle, and disruption of personal identity can contribute to feelings of depression. Supporting patients' mental health is not only compassionate care; it is essential to achieving the best possible physical recovery outcomes. Virtual reality (VR) is emerging as a powerful tool in mental health support, offering new, evidence-based pathways for healing and hope.
Bringing Back Independence: How Virtual Reality Is Helping Stroke Survivors Reclaim Their Lives
As we recognize National Stroke Awareness Month, it’s the perfect time to shine a light on the evolving tools that are giving stroke survivors new ways to rebuild their independence. One of the most exciting advancements is immersive technology, particularly Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR).
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?
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.
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