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.

A recent 2024 study brought this realization full circle by highlighting the benefits of VR in an isolated vestibular dysfunction, further reinforcing the direction we’ve taken at AVRwell with our first app, Aquavision.

Spotlight on the Research: VR Therapy for Isolated Otolith Dysfunction

In their 2024 publication in the Zagazig University Medical Journal, Alkahtani and Elbeltagy conducted a pioneering study examining the use of VR therapy in patients with Isolated Otolith Dysfunction (IOD), a specific vestibular disorder that affects spatial orientation and oculomotor coordination. Unlike more global vestibular conditions, IOD presents a unique rehabilitation challenge because its symptoms are subtle yet profoundly disorienting.

The researchers employed immersive VR-based tasks targeting gaze stabilization and head-eye coordination. These activities not only recreated dynamic vestibular environments but also required precise oculomotor responses (Alkahtani & Elbeltagy, 2024). Following the intervention, patients showed statistically significant improvements in vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) gains, balance control, and overall functional mobility.

Why This Study Matters for the Future of Concussion and Vestibular Rehab

What excites me about this article is not just the findings, but what they represent, a validation of what many of us have observed clinically. While traditional vestibular rehab remains vital, this study confirms that VR-based interventions can be precisely targeted to address even isolated vestibular dysfunctions. That level of specificity in training is a game-changer.

From concussion recovery, where oculomotor instability is a hallmark symptom, to chronic vestibular syndromes, VR is bridging the gap between clinical accuracy and engaging therapy. The immersive environment not only enhances compliance but also offers real-time data and adaptability based on patient response, benefits highlighted in the study (Alkahtani & Elbeltagy, 2024).

In addition to the study on Isolated Otolith Dysfunction, newer research continues to support the broader application of VR in neurologic rehabilitation. For instance, Gramigna et al. (2025) found that VR-based gait training post-stroke enhanced both balance and brain engagement through real-time neurofeedback. Sheehy et al. (2025) showed that even home-based VR systems sustained gains in standing balance and mobility after formal therapy. Finally, Alayidi et al. (2025) provided robust evidence supporting VR for improving balance control in patients with MS, a testament to how immersive, adaptive environments can truly transform patient outcomes across clinical populations.

AVRwell and Aquavision: Mission-Aligned Innovation

The mission behind AVRwell was never just about creating a product, it was about creating possibilities. It’s about giving therapists the tools they need to reach more patients, personalize care, and empower individuals to reclaim their independence.

We developed our first app, Aquavision, based on growing research supporting the benefits of oculomotor rehabilitation for individuals with vestibular disorders, concussions, mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), and a wide range of neurological diagnoses. This study on IOD adds to that evidence, affirming that even more specific and isolated conditions can benefit from targeted VR therapy.

As we continue to develop immersive digital tools, we’re not just building an app, we’re contributing to a movement that reimagines accessibility, engagement, and functional outcomes in rehabilitation.

Final Reflections

There was always a bigger purpose when I chose this profession. It wasn’t just about treating one patient at a time, it was about finding ways to help more people reclaim their independence and thrive after injury or illness. My mission has always been clear: to empower patients through innovation, and to equip clinicians with the tools that make transformative care not only possible but accessible.

This journey with AVRwell has allowed me to step beyond the walls of a clinic and help create solutions that amplify the impact therapists can have, tools that support oculomotor rehab, vestibular recovery, and neurologic restoration. But at the core of all this innovation, the goal remains deeply human.

Because in the end, it’s about the patient, it’s about that moment when someone who’s been suffering finds balance again, walks without dizziness, or simply smiles because they feel like themselves again. And if through this work I can help more patients than I could have one-on-one in a clinic, then my heart is full.

This is what drives AVRwell forward. And studies like the ones we've discussed are not just academic validations, they are stepping stones toward a future where more patients can heal, thrive, and smile again.

References:

Alkahtani, R. A., & Elbeltagy, R. (2024). Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Therapy in the Rehabilitation of Isolated Otolith Dysfunction. Zagazig University Medical Journal, 30(5), 1728–1737. https://zumj.journals.ekb.eg/article_356121.html

Alayidi, B., Al-Yahya, E., & McNally, D. (2025). Exploring balance control mechanisms in people with multiple sclerosis in virtual reality environment: A systematic review. Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, 22(1). https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12984-025-01612-0

Gramigna, V., Palumbo, A., & Perri, G. (2025). Advancing Gait Analysis: Integrating Multimodal Neuroimaging and Extended Reality Technologies. Bioengineering, 12(3), 313. https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5354/12/3/313

Sheehy, L., Taillon-Hobson, A., & Sveistrup, H. (2025). Home-Based Nonimmersive Virtual Reality Training After Discharge From Inpatient or Outpatient Stroke Rehabilitation: Parallel Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies, 12(1), e64729. https://rehab.jmir.org/2025/1/e64729/