Project

Prescribing Virtual Reality (VRx)

Prescribing Virtual Reality (VRx) is a suite of projects that design and evaluate therapeutic VR-interventions for diverse and challenging populations (patients, caregivers, providers), from community to acute care.

Why Did We Create Prescribing Virtual Reality (VRx)?

Albert Einstein said, “We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” But, maybe we can. Could new technologies that keep us indoors and disconnected solve the very problems they create? This is one of the questions our team asks ourselves while working on the Prescribing Reality (VRx) projects.

VR has its roots in simulating extremely difficult and dangerous experiences, such as flight simulation and surgery. This got our team thinking about the real impact of perception on reality. In a healthcare context, we wonder, if a patient smells a feast in front of their eyes, are they more likely to eat hospital food? We already know that patient rooms with a window view, or even synthetic plants seem to have a positive impact on patients' health outcomes. If we push this a bit further and create ways for people to feel as though they've taken a stroll in nature, will they derive at least some of the benefit that they would receive from the real experience?

 

OpenLab_Project Team

Project Contact

Thank You to our Collaborators and Supporters

Toronto General & Western Hospital Foundation, Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation, Age-Well, York University, TD Community Health Solutions, Beneva

Behind The Solution

Virtual Reality Therapy Program for People with Dementia

A young woman is showing a senior woman an image on an iPad while a senior man is sitting and wearing a virtual reality headset.

“Most people are awaiting Virtual Reality; I'm awaiting virtuous reality.”

 

— Eli Khamarov

“I think VR gave her a boost of energy to make

her a bit more excited and happy…it was so

nice to have her old self back.”

— Caregiver of participant with dementia

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