Rehab Reimagined Blogs & Research
Introducing the AVRwell XR Relief Suite
We’re excited to announce that the XR Relief Suite is now available for facilities and XR health platforms managing devices through MDMs like ArborXR and ManageXR.
Originally developed by our team at Penumbra in collaboration with clinicians at the VA, and deployed across VA facilities, these apps are now accessible to providers and platforms on Quest 3 and 3S.
From Patient Care to Platform Creation: Why I Left the Clinic to Build XR Tools for Rehab
For over a decade, I worked as a Physical Therapist—shoulder to shoulder with patients who were fighting some of the biggest battles of their lives. Stroke survivors learning to walk again. Traumatic brain injury patients working to regain balance. Individuals struggling with dizziness, double vision, or post-concussion symptoms just trying to feel “normal” again.
To this day, I remember every single one of them. Their faces. Their stories. Their breakthroughs and setbacks. I often find myself wondering how they’re doing now—hoping they’re living fuller, more independent lives. Every one of them still holds a special place in my heart.
Helping people heal became a part of my identity long before I ever stepped into a non-clinical role.
How Remote XR Therapy Is Revolutionizing Rehabilitation Access and Outcomes
There are moments in healthcare innovation when technology doesn’t just support clinical practice—it redefines it. The surge of remote Extended Reality (XR) therapy and telerehabilitation is one of those pivotal shifts. Across disciplines like stroke rehabilitation, cognitive therapy, and balance training, clinicians and researchers are witnessing a transformation in how, where, and when rehabilitation happens.
Leveling Up in Real Life: How Gamified XR is Helping Us Heal
Let’s be honest: healing can be boring and frustrating.
Whether you're recovering from an injury, dealing with stress, or just trying to improve your wellness game, the path to feeling better often feels like grinding for XP in a game with no storyline, no rewards, and way too many loading screens (hello, waiting rooms).
But what if recovery could feel like playing your favorite game? What if you could level up your real life health stats while battling digital dragons, tracking turtles, or shooting targets in a virtual world?
Welcome to the world of gamified XR (Extended Reality), where physical and mental wellness gets a power-up, gamer-style.
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?”
Can VR Help Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease? A Curious Dive into an Emerging Therapeutic Possibility
As someone deeply engaged in neurorehabilitation, I've seen firsthand how virtual reality (VR) can support brain plasticity, spark motivation, and encourage functional recovery in conditions like stroke, traumatic brain injury, and vestibular disorders. These experiences often lead me to wonder, if VR can make such a difference in these areas, could it also offer something meaningful to individuals living with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD)?
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.
AVRwell and Invincikids Unite to Enhance Children's Access to XR Therapy
We’re excited to announce our collaboration with Invincikids, a nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming pediatric healthcare experiences through immersive technology. Together, we're introducing a suite of XR therapy applications designed to support children during and after medical treatments, aiming to make their healthcare journeys more engaging, intuitive, and research-informed.
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?
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.