Virtual reality world will transport patients

TERMINALLY ill patients can escape the confines of their care space thanks to a specially filmed virtual world.

Hospice chiefs at Loros have commissioned a real-life movie to allow people whose lives have become restricted to enjoy the outside world from the comfort of their chair or bed.

Simply by wearing virtual reality glasses the patient is transported to an entirely different location such as Leicestershire beauty spot, Bradgate Park.

John Lee, 70, who has motor neurone disease (MND), was the first patient at the hospice to try out the glasses and take a tour through the historic nature haven.

He said: “You soon relax, it’s just like you’re there, I loved it. It felt so real I nearly waved at somebody as they walked past.”

In true virtual reality style as John turned his head, the camera followed, making him feel like he was actually at the Park with a 360 degree view and activity all around him.

He added: “Since being diagnosed with MND, we can get out but I can’t spend a lot of time out of the wheelchair so being able to have these experiences through the glasses is really good. It’s almost as good as the real thing.”

With patient’s well-being in mind, the films form an important therapeutic tool, relaxing those who watch as they are ‘taken away’ to a familiar environment.

They can then chat to family and friends and reminisce about experiences, sharing joy and happier times.

Loros chief executive John Knight said: “This is a really exciting project for us and I believe we are the first hospice in the country to have specifically commissioned such a film as a therapeutic tool using a familiar local setting.

“Research suggests that the brain accepts the virtual world within 20 seconds after which the experience becomes all-absorbing.

“We recognise that some of our patients are often restricted to where they can go due to their illness so we wanted to help give them the opportunity to still enjoy life wider than their restrictions allow, through virtual reality.

“To see the response from one of our patients, John, was quite overwhelming. You could really see how much it meant to him to be able to experience walking through Bradgate Park, something he never thought he would be able to ever experience again after being diagnosed.”

Loros has worked with a specialist virtual reality production company since last year and is planning to commission a number of further films, to create a library of valuable experiences for patients to access and enjoy. Experiences might include a walk on the beach for example.

Funding for the project, which could be extended to benefit other hospices and care providers, was funded by the TS Shipman Trust.