Torbay is leading the way in virtual reality immersive therapy
People with chronic pain conditions are the first in the country to use new cutting-edge virtual reality (VR) immersive technology to help manage their conditions.
During the past 18-months our Pain Rehabilitation and Digital Futures teams have worked with around 50 patients, all with differing physical challenges resulting from chronic pain, or suffering with severe anxiety, to test a range of VR products to assess their benefit with the hope of finding alternative solutions to treatment and combat these conditions.
The team is running a series of summer roadshows for people to learn more about the range of treatments on offer. At July’s roadshow, the team was joined by former patients who are volunteering for this new method of treatment, and the Torbay Hospital League of Friends which generously bought key equipment to allow this vital service and research to take place.
Physiotherapist Phillipa Newton-Cross, who is the service lead for the Pain Rehabilitation Team, said: “We are the only NHS trust in the country which is using CUREO VR therapy software to offer patients an alternative solution to chronic pain rehabilitation. For the past two years we have been exploring how we can improve the lives of patients using methods that avoid medication and promote movement and wellbeing by using VR immersive therapy.
“We have run one-to-one VR clinics with patients and have found some incredible results and benefits to health, including alternatives to medicated pain relief, and how new technology can help patients suffering from chronic pain, long-term health conditions, anxiety and low mood in new and innovative ways.”
Chairman Chris Balch added: “We have recently seen the announcement of the new 10-year plan for the NHS, where three key shifts are highlighted – from hospital to community, from analogue to digital, and from treatment to prevention.
“This type of cutting-edge healthcare using VR technology, examining how we can tackle pain and anxiety through non-medicated pathways and within the patients home absolutely supports the future aspirations of the NHS. I am so proud of the Pain Rehabilitation Team for their energy and passion in driving this technology forward for the good of our patients.”
Emma Stevens, who was part of the CUREO VR project, used the VR headsets to help manage her debilitating pain condition. She said: “When I was working with the headset and doing my therapy I wasn’t thinking about the pain, it just took me somewhere else where I could do things without discomfort. It is just so helpful.”
Martin Tucker, Chair of Torbay Hospital League of Friends added: “This is cutting edge technology, and we are so proud to see the Trust trying something new and innovative to make strides in developing this new way of looking at health and rehabilitation.”
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