Rehabilitation in the virtual age: Using VR to support patient recovery and reduce pain
Rehabilitation in the virtual age: Using VR to support patient recovery and reduce pain
Wednesday 08 February 2023, 1200-1300
Join the Parent and Carer Network to find out about the work of Sheffield Hallam University’s Impact VR lab where SHU researchers are developing pioneering virtual reality (VR) technology in healthcare to support children and adults with rehabilitation from physical injury and social anxiety.
Virtual Reality is generally viewed as a technology only for entertainment purposes, but more recently it has shown incredible potential in the area of healthcare. Impact VR at Sheffield Hallam University has been exploring how the new advancements in VR hardware and development tools can produce innovative healthcare interventions to support patient rehabilitation for amputees, burn victims, those with upper limb injuries, social anxiety and a range of other conditions.
Ivan Phelan, Director of the Impact VR Lab at Sheffield Hallam University will talk about how VR is helping to aid patient rehabilitation for:
- Stroke patients suffering from dysphasia (inability to swallow)
- Children experiencing social anxiety
- Upper limb recovery in children
Following the presentation there will be time for Q&A and the research team would welcome feedback and ideas from parents and carers in relation to possible future use of VR technology in a healthcare context.
Ivan Phelan, Director of the Impact VR Lab, Sheffield Hallam University is a Principal Research Fellow whose pioneering virtual reality technology in healthcare has supported amputees, burn victims and those with upper limb injuries to rehabilitate. He has been recognised as one of UK universities’ top creative spark as part of a campaign to showcase the extraordinary contribution of the country’s universities to the UK’s creative excellence. The Game Awards Future Class 2022 included Ivan as one of 50 inspiring individuals who represent the ‘bright, bold, and inclusive future of video games’.