Reimagining Therapeutic Technology
Prescribing Virtual Reality (VRx) is a suite of projects exploring how immersive technologies can be used as therapeutic tools across the healthcare spectrum—from community settings to acute and specialized care. At its core is a provocation: could the same technologies that keep us indoors and disconnected also help solve the problems they create? VRx investigates this tension by designing and evaluating VR-based interventions that support patients, caregivers, and providers facing complex physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges.
The Power of Perception
Virtual reality has long been used to safely simulate difficult or dangerous experiences, from flight training to surgical practice. This sparked a deeper curiosity within our team about the impact of perception on well-being. Research shows that even subtle environmental cues—like a window view or synthetic plants—can improve patient outcomes. So we ask: if VR can offer a walk in the woods, the comfort of home, or a multisensory feast, might patients experience tangible therapeutic benefits? By engaging sight, sound, touch, our VR interventions aim to recreate reality in ways that can reduce anxiety, stimulate appetite, elevate mood, and encourage participation in care.
Designed With, Not For
Guided by the principle “Nothing about us without us,” VRx embeds patient and caregiver voices throughout the entire research process—from early co-design to dissemination. Our studies span exploratory qualitative work to formal randomized controlled trials, using mixed methods to understand what works and why. While VR is not a universal solution—and no single therapy is—our work shows it is widely accepted, highly adaptable, and impactful across diverse populations. As a safe, customizable, and non-invasive intervention, VR deserves serious consideration as part of the future of care.
Current Projects
We are constantly exploring the therapeutic potential of immersive technology across diverse clinical needs. VR&R (Virtual Reality & Relaxation) is a three-year CIHR-funded study examining how VR for seniors can provide respite to caregivers to reduce stress and improve wellbeing. We recently completed AnxEMU, a feasibility study evaluating the use of VR by patients in the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit at Toronto Western Hospital and its impact on epilepsy-specific anxiety. In parallel, we are collaborating with scientists at the Krembil Research Institute to investigate how eye-tracking can support novel screening and rehabilitation tools for individuals with visual impairments and concussion. Collectively, these projects and many more illustrate the breadth of VRx’s work—testing how immersive, multi-sensory interventions can improve comfort, autonomy and care experiences across the health system. You can read more about our individual projects through the website below.
Contact: Lora Appel
Prescribing Virtual Reality (VRx)
