Virtual/augmented reality in healthcare

Centre for Health Technology

VR is increasingly used in healthcare as an educational tool. Hardware limitations of headsets have raised questions about the practicality of prolonged use by vulnerable or frail patients, though recent advances in mobile-based light-weight headsets have been shown to be feasible to deploy in challenging healthcare settings. There are now plausible studies demonstrating the potential value of VR in supporting a range of physical, mental, or psychosocial health outcomes, including pain management, cognition and depression.

The CHT has strong capabilities in the development and application of virtual, augmented and immersive reality technologies, from design and software development to implementation and clinician/patient/public experience of using such technologies.

Our projects

Exploring VR spaces

Using virtual reality scans to bring heritage sites alive: This video gives a brief explanation of how our GOALD project worked with the University of Plymouth School of Art, Design and Architecture to create virtual reality spaces for our participants to explore.

The Development of Possible VR Environments for VR Walking in Care Homes: Recorded as part of our GOALD project’s talks series, Dr Robert Stone, Emeritus Professor at the University of Birmingham describes the potential scope of VR for use by care home residents.

Opening new horizons with the GOALD project

"At 92, I 'kayaked' across the Antarctic – for a virtual-reality research project". Published by The Guardian, read Fred’s account of taking part in research to create digital products that help older people stay active and healthier for longer.