How to choose the right VR headset for your rehabilitation center
The use of VR in rehabilitation is becoming more common, offering a variety of choices that can be overwhelming when selecting the right headset for your clinic.
In rehabilitation, selecting virtual reality (VR) headsets involves various factors such as the patient’s specific needs, the type of therapy to be performed and the available budget.
It is important to know that one thing is the hardware (the VR headset itself) and another one is the Software (the program you use).
Ideally, VR headsets should be universal, easy to use, inexpensive and compatible with a variety of applications. Investing in hardware that is only compatible with a single software may not be the best choice, as the equipment could become obsolete in the future. It is in your interest to have a device that is widely used, such as the Meta Quest 2 or 3, both of which offer many available applications (either free or paid). There are several factors to consider, which we will outline here, to prevent you from making the mistake of investing in a technology and not taking full advantage of it.
Don’t get carried away by trends, invest in technology, but with criteria.
Evaluate the total cost of ownership, including initial acquisition, maintenance and training costs. Does the potential benefit to patients warrant the technology’s cost?
It is important to consider the level of support and customer service offered by the provider. Are training, technical support, and regular updates provided? Are these services part of the initial offering, or do they entail additional, recurring costs?
Research opinions and recommendations from other healthcare professionals who have used the technology in their rehabilitation clinics. Ideally you could conduct a free trial of the VR headsets at your facility with your current patients. This way you can assess if it really interests you and collect feedback from your users.
Analyze the type of patients and the therapeutic goals you are going to work on.
Identifying the specific needs of patients is critical. What types of injuries or conditions are you treating most often? What technologies could improve the quality of care and patient experience?
Working with VR headsets in rehabilitation is usually very appealing to most patients, because of the novelty of it and how much fun it is. However, keep in mind that headsets that require the use of remotes, may be challenging for many patients to operate. On the other hand, the possibility of activating hand tracking allows you to get rid of the controls and broadens the range of patients who can benefit from this technology.
For instance, those working with neurological patients might find VR glasses beneficial for conducting virtual constraint-induced therapy, mirror therapy, coordination exercises, balance, and range of joint activities…
If your main objective is gait rehabilitation, your patients may benefit more from a different type of virtual reality, such as semi-immersive VR.
Try it before you buy, familiarize yourself with the technology.
The technology must be easy to implement and use for both healthcare professionals and patients. Does the technology require extensive training? Does it offer an intuitive interface that facilitates its use?
External control by the practitioner is important. When the patient puts on the VR headset, it is essential for the professional to monitor what the patient sees and to have the ability to manage the session, including levels, difficulty, and duration. All this is possible if you have software that allows you to link your computer with the VR headset and monitor the session at all times, without having to remove the headset from the patient.
Make sure you are buying a medical device.
It is important to research and evaluate the scientific evidence supporting the efficacy of the technology in rehabilitation. Is it officially certified for clinical use? Are there clinical studies demonstrating the efficacy of the technology in improving patient outcomes?
Ensure that the technology meets industry safety and compliance standards, especially considering patient data protection and privacy.
