Hospice Develops VR for Terminally Ill Patients

'I Experience VR' has been pioneered by LOROS Hospice in Leicester, who have created an innovative library of therapeutic and immersive 360-degree Virtual Reality (VR) films, that are safely stored and accessed via an App.

The library of specially commissioned films enables terminally ill patients, who have found themselves restricted due to their illness, explore a familiar location from the comfort of their chair.

Smartphones and other devices keep us ever connected to the rest of the world, but recovering, disabled and seriously ill patients often find themselves indoors, and longing for a change of scenery. This Virtual Reality (VR) technology is changing lives!

To see the responses from our patients is quite overwhelming. You can really see how much it means to them

John Lee, 70, a patient with Motor Neurone Disease (MND), was the first patient at the Hospice to try on the headsets.

He was transported virtually to Bradgate Park in Leicester, which he described as “almost as good as the real thing”. As the patient turns their head, the camera follows, giving a 360-degree view of their virtual surroundings.

“You soon relax, it’s just like you’re there, I loved it,” he said. “I nearly waved at somebody, as they walked past.”

“Since being diagnosed with MND, I can get out, but I can’t spend a lot of time out of the wheelchair, so being able to have these experiences through the VR glasses is really good,” he added.

VR experiences have been long discussed as a helpful new therapeutic tool for terminally ill patients, allowing them to absorb themselves within a familiar but otherwise inaccessible environment, so it’s great to see a Hospice leading the way.

LOROS CEO John Knight said: “This is a really exciting project for us, and I believe we are the first Hospice in the country to have specifically commissioned such films as therapeutic tools using familiar local settings. “ To see the responses from our patients is quite overwhelming. You can really see how much it means to them,

A couple holding hands can share a joint experience and take a stroll through the park or a walk on the beach. One of our patients, Mick Jones, described almost feeling the wind in his hair or feeling the sand between his toes.

“We recognise that some of our patients are often restricted to where they can go due to their illness, so we wanted to help give them the opportunity to still enjoy life, wider than their restrictions allow, through Virtual Reality. To see the responses from our patients is quite overwhelming. You can really see how much it means to them,” added John.

LOROS has been working with specialist Virtual Reality production company CATS are not PEAS since last year, and as well as commissioning and creating a number of films, have jointly launched one of the world’s first VR for Good film-making competitions. As a result, the ‘I Experience VR’ film library now contains a large selection of valuable experiences for patients to access and enjoy.

As well as providing relaxation, calmness and provoking heart-warming conversations, ’I Experience VR’ is also a great way for health and social care professionals to engage with patients and their families in a different way. ‘I Experience VR’ is simple to use for all Health and Social Care professionals, even if they have little or no experience with Virtual Reality.

The impact of ‘I Experience VR’

An ongoing evaluation study is underway to gather data surrounding patient experiences. The results of the evaluation study have been extremely positive.

Patients taking part have reported feeling calm and relaxed after immersing themselves in our selection of high quality 4k 360-degree films. Patients that reported having some pain before viewing ‘I Experience VR’ said that their pain was less noticeable, or that the ‘I Experience VR’ distracted them to the point that they were not aware of their pain whilst immersed in the experience.

Interested in becoming a partner?

LOROS Hospice is seeking partners to join ‘I Experience VR’, making it easy to share therapeutic experiences with people restricted in their mobility, in a hospice, care home or similar environment.

This approach is equally valuable in a corporate or community organisation seeking to promote relaxation and wellbeing for its staff, students or members in an accessible and innovative way.

Benefits include:

• Access to our growing library of therapeutic films

• Trusted technical support and training package

• Expert advice for purchasing required equipment

• Easy to use operating guides

• Health and Safety usage guidance

• Infection prevention guidelines

• Evaluation study templates.

‘I Experience VR’ is subscription based with funds put directly back into the production of more ‘I Experience VR’ films chosen by partners, patients and residents.