VR Therapy Offers Hope for Patients in Chinese Hospital's Infectious Disease Wards

VR Therapy Helps Patients Manage Mental Distress in Chinese Hospital

A hospital in Changsha, China, has introduced virtual reality (VR) therapy in its infectious diseases hepatology wards to help patients manage mental distress. This innovative approach has shown positive outcomes for over 30 patients, with customized VR content under development to further enhance treatment.

VR therapy works by immersing patients in soothing virtual environments, such as sunny beaches, forests, or snowy mountains. This immersive experience helps lower stress hormone levels and allows the brain to partially suppress pain signals. The therapy incorporates psychological techniques like narrative therapy, breath control, mindfulness, and meditation, providing a holistic approach to mental well-being.

One patient with cirrhosis and ICU syndrome, where physical weakness worsens mental distress, saw significant improvements after undergoing daily 30-minute VR therapy sessions. After two weeks, the patient's blood pressure and heart rate stabilized, sleep improved, and infection markers reduced.

Patients in infectious disease wards often face recurring symptoms like fever, infections, and bleeding, compounded by isolation, anxiety, and fear of losing social connection. Prolonged hospitalization can be a tough mental and physical ordeal. Inspired by international research, the hospital launched the VR intervention program as a clinical psychological tool.

The therapy has been successful in various scenarios, with fever patients interacting with penguins in Arctic landscapes, pain sufferers strolling beside lotus-filled lakes, and those undergoing procedures watching calming animations to ease tension. Since May 2024, over 30 patients have undergone VR therapy with positive feedback overall.

However, challenges remain. Some elderly patients experience dizziness, while the critically ill may lack stamina for extended sessions. The hospital is optimizing solutions by adjusting scene dynamics, customizing content, and shortening session duration.

This integration of psychological intervention with VR technology is an effective attempt to improve patient well-being. The hospital plans to promote VR therapy in other departments, including intensive care medicine, rehabilitation medicine, orthopedics, neurosurgery, and infection immunology, providing patients with more effective and comfortable psychological support.

This innovative approach demonstrates the potential of VR technology in improving mental health and overall well-being in healthcare settings. As VR technology continues to evolve, its applications in healthcare are likely to expand, offering new possibilities for patient care and treatment.