Hospital opens nation's first immersive VR rehab facility
A patient undergoes rehabilitation training at the Gait Real-Time Analysis Interactive Lab on Monday.
China’s first rehabilitation-therapy facility offering patients an immersive 4D experience has started operation at the Shanghai Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine.
The Gait Real-Time Analysis Interactive Lab, or GRAIL, uses virtual reality technology to provide different 4D scenarios and games which require patients to walk, run, or do other gestures to strengthen their posture.
The system can captures real-time motion data and give sensorial feedback to guide patients' rehabilitation, doctors from Yueyang said.
“The system can be used for patients to receive rehabilitation therapy after treatment and surgeries for sports injury, stroke and fracture. It is also useful for the elderly with Alzheimer’s disease and children with cerebral palsy, as it offers training on motion, cognition, balance and body coordination,” said Dr Zhao Qing, director of Yueyang’s rehabilitation medical center.
A patient with a knee injury tried running and simulated "boating" on the system on Monday and described the training as both interesting and fun.
“I have to walk on different kinds of roads, climb hills and catch mosquitoes on the screen. I don’t feel bored, even after a long period of training,” he said.
Zhao said the system makes rehabilitation more interactive and interesting, as many patients struggle with long, dull training sessions.
“All equipment in our centers is designed with game-like factors, where patients can gain points through each training and they can compete with themselves in different rounds for better effects,” Zhao added.
Doctors say rehabilitation plays an important role in patient recovery and future quality of life. “The earlier the participation of a rehabilitation therapist, the better the recovery effects,” Zhao said.
