Introduction to Virtual Reality Therapy
Virtual reality therapy is getting used at Castle Hill Hospital to assist cancer patients and their family members chill out. The hospital, which is a component of the Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, has invested in virtual reality equipment to offer a novel and revolutionary method to support patients.
How it Works
The virtual reality headsets transport users to relaxing landscapes akin to beaches, mountains, and forests, in addition to the Northern Lights. This technology has been shown to assist patients regulate their emotions and put them in a greater place psychologically. According to Dr. Jennie Ormerod, "Studies have shown that the identical parts of our brain are activated in virtual environments as they’re in real-life settings."
The Brain Recovery Zone
The Brain Recovery Zone is an idea that utilizes virtual reality to assist patients recuperate from the psychological effects of cancer diagnosis and treatment. Dr. Ormerod explains that "a cancer diagnosis may be really difficult to come back to terms with and treatment can sometimes be grueling, so we desired to have the ability to supply something to assist our patients regulate their emotions and put them in a greater place psychologically."
Implementation and Feedback
The virtual reality therapy was first introduced to young patients within the Teenage and Young Adult Unit at Castle Hill Hospital last yr. The feedback was "unbelievable," and the hospital has since invested in additional equipment to increase the project to other cancer patients. The Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance provided £1,600 to the hospital to purchase the initial VR equipment.
Availability and Accessibility
Patients can book to make use of the headsets on the Macmillan Information Centre on Tuesday afternoons from 3 June. A drop-in session can even happen on the centre on 24 June for anyone curious about testing the headsets. This provides a possibility for patients, family, friends, and carers to experience the virtual reality therapy and see how it could possibly help.
Conclusion
The use of virtual reality therapy at Castle Hill Hospital is a groundbreaking approach to supporting cancer patients and their family members. By providing a novel and revolutionary method to chill out and regulate emotions, the hospital helps patients to deal with the psychological effects of cancer diagnosis and treatment. As the project continues to grow and develop, it’s more likely to have a positive impact on the lives of many patients and their families.