New publication in Frontiers in Virtual Reality (Virtual Reality in Medicine) - Immersive virtual reality for gait rehabilitation
How can immersive virtual reality environments transform healthcare? Our latest research explores this question by developing a head-mounted display VR (HMD-VR) exergame to use in gait therapy. This study demonstrates the potential of high-fidelity virtual environments to provide patients with engaging and realistic training experiences tailored to their therapeutic needs.
By integrating 3D point clouds and ambisonic sound, we have created three immersive VR environments ranging from old city centres to rural areas or forests. These environments allow participants to practice gait safety in scenarios that closely mimic everyday tasks, increasing the relevance and effectiveness of therapy. In addition, one of the study's findings is the restorative effect of these immersive environments, which shows promise for promoting well-being alongside physical rehabilitation.
This research highlights the transformative potential of high-fidelity, realistic immersive VR technologies in healthcare, paving the way for more engaging, personalised and effective therapeutic solutions for patients with, for example, gait impairments.
Read more about the results here: Schalbetter, L., Grêt-Regamey, A., Gutscher, F., & Wissen Hayek, U. (2025). High-fidelity immersive virtual reality environments for gait rehabilitation exergames. Frontiers in Virtual Reality, 5.
external page https://doi.org/10.3389/frvir.2024.1502802