Technology for UCHealth patients allows them to be transported away from anxiety or pain they might be facing during medical treatment into a 3-D realm of distracting and immersive virtual experiences.

Virtual reality headsets are now available for patients at UCHealth Yampa Valley Medical Center. The VR headsets are finding a variety of uses throughout the facility, from the emergency department, intensive care unit and pre- and post-op areas, to the lab and infusion center.

For instance, the headsets may be used as a distraction for patients who sit for long periods of time as they receive various treatments such as chemotherapy or other infused drugs. The may help other patients decrease anxiety around IV insertions and blood draws. Patients in the rehabilitation setting may find benefit from the headsets as they work through vestibular, balance or optical issues. Family members have even used them while a mother is laboring.

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“The response has been amazing,” said Tomas Estrella, UCHealth brand innovation specialist. “Patients are not used to seeing this type of technology in a health care setting. We’ve found it not only improves the patients’ experience, but that of their health care team as well, as they are often impacted when their patients are anxious or nervous.”

Patients of all ages (those under 18 need parental or guardian consent) can select from a wide range of immersive videos, educational materials, games, meditations or even visit places they’ve lived or wanted to visit. Staff have been trained on equipment use, cleaning protocols and best practices.

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How do VR headsets work?

Each system includes a VR headset and a tablet from which program content can be selected. The program can be seen on the tablet in addition to being seen by whoever wears the headsets.

“This is great because it also engages the family members, as mom or dad or other caregivers who are there to support the patient can see on the tablet what is being seen through the headsets, though not in an immersive way,” said Estrella.

There are four main features patients can access.

• Guides — These consist of primarily educational, still images and serve as a good starting point for patients who have never used VR. Options include nature, animals, travel, museums, national wonders, sports and more.

• Games and activities — These are “visual dependent,” meaning they are controlled by the patient wearing the headset as the patient’s head and eye movements manipulate what happens in the video. Selections include everything from iSpy games to scuba diving, and if a patient is feeling anxious, they could try a breathing or meditation activity.

• Search — This includes still images and allows patients to use Google Maps to visit any spot in the world, such as their childhood home or a favorite vacation spot.

• Videos – This is probably the most popular VR experience, according to Estrella, as patients can select any number of three-to-10-minute immersive videos such as animals, history, the outdoors or sports. Swimming with dolphins is a favorite, as patients find themselves in the water with Flipper.

How are they helping patients?

The VR headsets have relieved anxiety and offered distraction from treatment for those who have utilized them thus far. Some patients have even requested the headsets after they saw how positively their care experience was impacted.

Moving forward, VR headsets are just the first generation of technology for patient comfort and anxiety. In the future, UCHealth patients will use “gaze control” headsets that would be especially useful for those with limited mobility, as they could control the VR functions with just their eye movements.

“We know VR headsets improve the patient experience,” said Estrella. “Many times, even small enhancements go a long way to easing anxiety and difficulties during treatment.”

Mary Gay Broderick writes for UCHealth. She can be reached at marygaybroderick@comcast.net.