VR

A volunteer participant of the Flinders University research using VR to do an exercise
By  Adam Ang 03:06 am August 29, 2023
Flinders University researchers have developed a virtual reality-based programme to encourage people with intellectual disabilities to do regular physical exercises.  WHAT IT'S ABOUT According to a media release, they have recruited 16 volunteer participants from the Bedford Group – a major employer of people with intellectual disabilities in Australia, to join the eight-week exercise programme...
Person wearing a VR headset with a healthcare provider sitting next to them near a computer
By  Jessica Hagen 10:12 am March 6, 2023
Extended reality products and services company Varjo is partnering with Swiss medical device company machineMD to develop Neos, a diagnostic tool that aims to assist in the early diagnosis of brain disorders such as multiple sclerosis, stroke and brain tumors using built-in VR-based eye-tracking technology.  Finnish manufacturer Varjo offers extended reality hardware and software with integrated...
A nurse assisting a patient using the Evenness VR during an intervention session
By  Adam Ang 12:29 am January 25, 2023
A new VR programme with interactive sight, sound, and touch experiences has helped improve outcomes for adults with neurodevelopmental disabilities, including autism and intellectual disability. This is based on the latest study, touted to be the first of such, done by researchers from the Western Sydney University and University of Wollongong, The Disability Trust, and technology company Devika...
Dozee smart connected bed
By  Adam Ang 12:56 am December 23, 2022
Dozee scores 510(k) for AI contactless sensor for RPM Indian medical device company Dozee has received the United States Food and Drug Administration's 510(k) clearance for its proprietary contactless sensor for remote patient monitoring. The Dozee sensor sheet, which is placed under a hospital bed mattress, captures micro-vibrations from patients using Ballistocardiography. These vibrations are...
Two people sitting in a room, one with their head down
By  Jessica Hagen 01:05 pm December 13, 2022
On Tuesday, VR behavioral health platform BehaVR and OxfordVR, a VR platform for severe mental health issues, announced their merger. The companies say their combination creates the largest virtual reality healthcare delivery platform. The companies, which will unite under the BehaVR brand, also garnered $13 million in Series B funding to support the merger. The round was led by Oxford Science...
Surgeons in the operating room
By  Jessica Hagen 10:21 am September 23, 2022
A recent study published in PLOS One and conducted by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center researchers in Boston reveals virtual reality use during hand surgery led to significant reductions in intraoperative anesthetic without negatively impacting patient-reported outcomes.  In a small, eight-month randomized controlled trial, researchers evaluated 34 patients undergoing hand surgery and the...
A nursing student wearing a VR lens demonstrates the use of the Virtual Hospital learning system
By  Adam Ang 02:30 am August 17, 2022
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University has recently developed a virtual learning system that uses virtual reality technology to enhance nursing education amid the ongoing global pandemic. PolyU's Virtual Hospital learning system is said to offer an "innovative experiential approach to nursing education". WHAT IT'S ABOUT Touted to be the first-of-its-kind in Hong Kong, the VR-based learning system...
A person using the FundamentalVR platform for surgery training.
By  Emily Olsen 11:40 am August 15, 2022
London-based FundamentalVR, maker of a virtual reality surgical training platform, announced last week it had scored $20 million in Series B funding.  The round was led by EQT Life Sciences and joined by previous investor Downing Ventures. FundamentalVR most recently closed a $5 million Series A in 2019. The latest raise brings the startup's total funding to more than $30 million. WHAT IT DOES...
[Left] Adam Hutchinson, founder of oVRcome, and [Right] Dr Cameron Lacey of the University of Otago
By  Adam Ang 01:14 am July 21, 2022
A clinical trial in New Zealand found a virtual reality app-based cognitive behaviour therapy programme reduced the symptoms of common phobias. FINDINGS Conducted between May and December last year, the randomised, controlled trial recruited a total of 129 adult participants with fears of flying, heights, needles, spiders and dogs. It was led by Dr Cameron Lacey, associate professor from the...
A woman using a virtual reality headset
By  Emily Olsen 10:03 am May 27, 2022
A virtual reality therapeutic program reduces pain intensity up to six months later, compared with a sham app, according to a study published in JMIR. The study was sponsored by AppliedVR and used its RelieVRx system, formerly known as EaseVRx, to assess its long-term effectiveness for people with chronic lower-back pain (CLBP). It followed up on earlier research that analyzed the immersive eight...