XRHealth, formerly known as VRHealth, is the first certified Extended Reality medical company in the world. The company uses virtual reality and augmented reality solutions for various therapeutic applications, including pain management.
XRHealth raised $7 million to expand its telehealth platform and increase its virtual support groups for people suffering from physical or psychological diseases. This new round of investment was led by Bridges Israel, Flint Capital, and 20/20 HealthCare Partners.
XRHealth is also working with Israel’s Sheba Medical Center to provide VR telehealth services to patients suffering from COVID-19 quarantining at home or the hospitals. Users get access to VR headsets and can use them to take virtual tours of various locations. XRHealth received a $450,000 grant from the Israeli Innovation Authority (IIA) to ease hospitals’ deployment.
Their applications are FDA and CE registered. Virtual Reality therapeutic protocols are engaging and provide faster recovery times than traditional treatments. Using a VR headset, patients can experience a mix of real and virtual environments, games, and exercises.
XRHealth paves the way to VR therapies
In our opinion, this new approach of combining telehealth and virtual reality will change traditional therapies. For example, physical therapies can be repetitive and boring. Gamification is the use of game design elements in non-game concepts. When applied to healthcare, gamification and serious gaming proved valuable for inducing positive health behavioral change.
To date, the XRHealth clinic offers at-home medical and treatments through a mix of real and virtual environments. By increasing engagement, the patients experience faster recovery times than with traditional treatments.
The VR applications are for multiple conditions such as:
- Motor and physical therapy: smoothness & efficiency of movements, range of motion
- Cognitive disorders: memory decline, attention deficit disorders
- Psychological: relaxation, stress & anxiety, support groups
How does it work?
Patients can enroll in XRHealth services with our without a referral or prescription. After 45 minutes of clinical evaluation with one of XRHealth’s licensed therapists, a personalized care plan is set. The patient will then receive by mail a customized VR headset.
Before starting, the patient will have another appointment with a VR therapist who will review the goals and define the VR therapeutic schedule. Then, data is transferred to the therapist to check the progress and potentially adjust the treatment.
One of the key points of this process is that the patients will not be left alone but will be followed and accompanied by a therapist. Mixing telehealth and Virtual Reality exercises are where we think that XRHealth shines and brings a true differentiation to this new therapeutic approach.
Using VR for support groups
XRHealth recently started support groups tailored for patients suffering from isolation during COVID-19. Using Virtual Reality, the company offers assistance to patients that are unable to engage with a group.
In Virtual Reality, the company gives participants the ability to connect with each other and with a group moderator.
The service is provided in partnership with Foretell reality, a subsidiary of the Glimpse GroupAs a result, participants can interact with each other from their home’s comfort and ease the feelings of loneliness and isolation they may experience.
VR is an amazing way ” to provide healing opportunities to patients that once could not leave their homes and were suffering in silence,” says Eran Orr, CEO of XRHealth.
XRHealth clinics are certified in more than 17 states and cities, including Boston, Connecticut, Florida, Michigan, Washington D.C., Delaware, California, New York, Texas, North Carolina. Medicare and most major insurance providers cover the services.
The support groups are also tailored for patients with Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s, breast cancer, menopause, an injury that affected motor function, anxiety, chronic pain, fibromyalgia, substance abuse post-stroke rehabilitation, brain injury. Groups dedicated to the elderly population are also offered.
A self-representation avatar in VR also helps patients overcome their initial hesitation and facilitates sharing emotions and personal information.
