VR in Healthcare
VR is increasingly seen as an important tool for tackling a range of health related issues. Whether it be for advancing Autism Therapy, reducing Chronic Pain or speeding recovery, research shows the proven effectiveness of virtual reality in healthcare.
Bubble, an Israeli startup are hacking the UX of cancer treatment and recovery through the combination of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), guided imagery, meditation, as well as mindfulness based stress reduction (MBSR) within immersive VR health experiences.
Stress Reduction through Immersive Environments
We were commissioned to design and develop a unique VR health experience for cancer patients experiencing side effects during their treatments, such as loss of hair, hot flashes, loss of appetite, fatigue, nausea, mood swings and sleep deprivation, to engage in a world, specifically created to support their healing journey.
In Bubble, users immerse themselves into a 3D world that allows them to relax and control the side effects associated with chemotherapy. Through engaging with diverse experiences, patients diminish certain triggers such as stress and fears that are brought about in the real world.
For instance, the experience Frosty is designed to make patients feel cool, predominantly when developing hot flashes. We additionally created Luna, an animated virtual psychologist powered by AI that engages and guides individuals through the challenges they are facing.
VR Health Benefits Proven
Bubble’s first experience supporting women with breast and ovarian cancer suffering from hot flashes completed its pilot study with fantastic results.
Participants at a number of hospitals were given access to the VR therapy, where their progress was tracked by their healthcare professionals and the algorithms in bubble. The result was overwhelming. Here are some of the quotes:
“It was amazing! I instantly felt cooler”.
“Bubble is incredibly effective! The first time I ever entered bubble, I started experiencing a hot flush and it stopped! It stopped dead in its tracks! I couldn’t believe it! This truly is a perfect answer to my hot flashes!”.
“ I felt cooler, at some point it felt like a cool breeze was actually touching my skin.”
“WOW!! It’s an amazing experience! Genius! So fun! It relaxed me like powerful meditation. I am in shock, I didn’t imagine or expect anything like this, it literally took me into another world. What a wonderful effect it has on my body”.
