The Immersive Virtual Reality project, associated with therapeutic exercise in Cell Therapy, aims to accelerate the physical and psychological recovery of cell therapy treatment recipients. The initiative uses immersive virtual reality and gamification to improve low adherence to exercise, conditioned by the stress and anxiety these patients experience during hospital admission.
The initiative, led by Dr. Carmen Albo, director of the Hematology and Hemotherapy Service at Álvaro Cunqueiro Hospital, is coordinated by Dr. Pablo Campo, a researcher at the HealthyFit group of IIS Galicia Sur and the University of Vigo. The program also has the active participation of the Galician Association of People Affected by Bone Marrow Transplants (ASOTRAME) and Igalia – Free Software Consulting.
Using immersive virtual reality (IVR) goggles, patients admitted for bone marrow or CART transplants are helped to cope with isolation and mitigate physical deterioration. Patients are immersed in motivating and playful virtual environments that reduce stress, alleviate anxiety, and improve pain tolerance, helping them stay physically active.
Dr. Carmen Albo explains that "exercise is safe and necessary during these intensive treatments, but uncertainty and isolation reduce patient adherence." Dr. Pablo Campo emphasizes that immersive virtual reality "allows for a multisensory approach where the patient interacts with a pleasant environment that assesses the intensity of the effort in real-time, transforming physical exertion into a fun and motivating experience."
The project, representing a qualitative leap from the Therapeutic Exercise program initiated in 2017 at Álvaro Cunqueiro Hospital, will be evaluated through a clinical trial. If the results confirm expectations, researchers plan to transfer this virtual reality methodology nationwide, positioning Galicia at the forefront of the humanization and effectiveness of cell therapy treatments.
