Rehab Reimagined Blogs & Research
The Art of the First Session: What We Learn from Watching Patients Enter XR for the First Time
There’s a moment, right after the headset slips on, when everything changes.
A quiet gasp. Eyes widen as they take in the immersive world around them. The patient turns their head, scanning every corner of the new environment. Excitement replaces hesitation. A hand reaches forward, testing possibility. In that instant, motivation stirs, the body leans in, ready to try, to accomplish what once felt out of reach in the real world.
At AVRwell, we’ve come to treasure this moment. It happens during that very first XR session, when a patient steps into immersive therapy for the first time. In those first few minutes, we see more than awe; we see the spark of possibility. And in that spark, we learn how to build better tools, for this person, and for every patient who will follow.
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.
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).
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.
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.