Virtual Reality and Autonomy supportive Rehabilitation Applications

The challenge

When patients partake in rehabilitation there may be emphasis placed on physical activity, in relation to motor and cognitive performance. Whilst important, patients needs should also be taken into account. Such as, increasing patients sense of autonomy, and self-efficacy when working towards therapeutic goals.

The solution

This idea has evolved from my PhD research, and is in the early stages of ideation. Where the proposed solution is to use virtual reality applications to support patients decision making, in the safety of clinical environments. By introducing autonomy supportive interventions, to facilitate increased opportunities for patients to openly discuss with clinicians what they believe they may need more guidance with, and where their strengths and weaknesses lie. For example, in walking rehabilitation if a patient explores a virtual environment, but never turns anti-clockwise. This should facilitate further opportunities to discuss why this may have occurred, and how this may be addressed within therapeutic goals if need be.