A double amputee Veteran looks through his special headset and suddenly is scuba diving under the sea, and sees fish swimming all around.  Another Veteran in a wheelchair is mountain climbing and can see trails and wild animals along the way. And another Veteran suffering from chronic pain is fishing and can be seen casting his lines in the water.

These are a few examples of how Veterans dealing with various injuries are experiencing a special virtual reality rehabilitation therapy program that is proving to be successful in helping them cope with their physical, cognitive and psychosocial issues.

“These therapies build confidence and develop coping skills.” 

In the photo above, Jamie Kaplan, a recreation therapist who oversees the virtual program at the James Haley Tampa VA Medical Center, helps guide Veteran Geoff Hopkins through his chosen virtual reality scenario.

The special program provides Veterans with varied medical issues resulting from traumatic brain jury, spinal cord injury, stroke, amputees, ALS or other similar areas with an alternative to the use of drugs such as opioids. They use a virtual reality headset or can watch on a large monitor screen to experience virtual scenic settings with music and narration individualized to each patient’s interests.

“Virtual reality is able to take the user someplace else they’d rather be,” said Kaplan. “For example, virtual games and activities can allow the wheelchair user to experience freedom from the limitations they face in everyday life.”

Special apps and computer programs are utilized through virtual reality headsets in the Virtual Reality Clinic and at the patient’s bedside.  Veterans can choose from 20 scenarios, ranging from mountains and oceans. Veterans can fish, ski, go scuba diving or even play golf.

One of the main goals is to help Veterans who suffer from chronic pain reduce their reliance on medications, such as opioids.  Relaxation and guided imagery programs are also used to address stress, anxiety, frustration, anger, and pain.  Heart rate and self-reporting from the Veteran are used to determine effectiveness. The measures, taken at the beginning and end of each session, have proven to reduce an average of 5 to 7 heart beats per minute while pain levels dropped 2-3 levels during the 10-minute use.

“What is truly exciting is that it is showing measurable results in helping reduce chronic pain while using the program,” Kaplan said. Kaplan said the idea came about through his interest in computer-based video games. He extended the idea based on video games to develop the virtual reality scenarios.

At first, virtual reality was targeted for use by younger Veterans who are more proficient in the use of technology and social media. However, older Veterans are embracing its use as well. About 200 Veterans, both inpatient and outpatient, have gone through the program.

The Virtual Reality program at James A. Haley VAMC is recognized as part of February as National Therapeutic Recreation Month.  VHA has more than 900 recreation therapists and creative arts therapists serving Veterans.


Jamie Kaplan, VA recreation therapist, and Veteran Geoff Hopkins

Jamie Kaplan, VA recreation therapist, and Veteran Geoff Hopkins


“Recreation therapy and creative arts therapy provide a spectrum of services, opportunities, and choice for Veterans to maximize their rehabilitation potential, increase independence and sustain a healthy and meaningful leisure lifestyle,” said Lucille Beck, Ph.D., VHA’s Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Policy and Services.  “These therapies provide opportunities to build confidence, develop coping skills, and integrate the skills learned in treatment settings into community settings.”

Guided imagery, meditation, and relaxation programs promote decreased muscle tension, stress, anxiety and blood pressures. This, in turn, can increase function abilities, decrease pain behaviors and increase activity.

More about VA’s Recreation Therapy Service


About the author: William N. Outlaw is a Communications Specialist with the Office of Patient Care Services

Leave a comment

The comments section is for opinions and feedback on this particular article; this is not a customer support channel. If you are looking for assistance, please visit Ask VA or call 1-800-698-2411. Please, never put personally identifiable information (SSAN, address, phone number, etc.) or protected health information into the form — it will be deleted for your protection.

7 Comments

  1. Valentina Ward February 27, 2019 at 09:36

    We need such program at each VA medical center!

  2. Kenneth Drake February 26, 2019 at 16:13

    How would I as a veteran with chronic constant pain be able to get into this program?

  3. Blake Trimarco February 26, 2019 at 15:33

    was told there is an electrical system attaches to your ear loobs, like a tense unit. I ask my primary care but I never got it.

    Thanks
    Blake

  4. Blake Trimarco February 26, 2019 at 15:32

    I was told there is an electrical system attaches to your ear loobs, like a tense unit. I ask my primary care but I never got it.

    Thanks
    Blake

  5. george brown February 26, 2019 at 14:52

    great idea my interest was my 58 yr old son who is not a vet .broke his back at 14 surgery finally at 55 thanks

  6. Ruth Wolfson Phillips February 26, 2019 at 14:22

    I have spinal cord damage with severe pain. My husband is a Veteran but I’m not. I did receive physical therapy & my Aspen collar from Haley VA in 2001. Since then, I’ve had 1 laminectomy that fell apart in April 2007. In May, 2007 another laminectomy replaced first lumbar laminectomy with Dupuy Titanium that fell apart inside of my body leaving a screw attached to my spinal nerve. 3rd lumbar laminectomy removed all titanium except the screw attached to my spinal nerve for fear of paralyzing me from waist down. I’m in terrible pain constantly. Demerol is not given in FL so I can’t get oral pain meds. I have 96 drug allergies after 67 surgeries & procedures.

    Can I try your virtual reality program to try to help rid myself if pain? I’m still not a Veteran, and still married to one along with my Veteran sister who moved here to help me at home. I can walk for a short time with my new Quadcycle. Just a walker on wheels with a seat. I use old walker around toilet to get up & down on toilet.

    I have two motorcycles I can’t ride anymore because of the pain. I’m built with rods & hinges around the screw & a rod replaces my sacroiliac joint that was torn at Daytona Bike Week.

    I promise to write about your program if you let me try your BEST TO just once. Maybe my insurance will cover it. If I were a dolphin, I’d get a new tail at VA. I’m just an old retired nurse who misses riding her motorcycles.

  7. Diana M Maldonado February 26, 2019 at 14:02

    WIll this be offered in the RIo Grande Valley Texas?

Comments are closed.

More Stories