Allegheny Health Network is using technology from Harvard MedTech to help with its cancer patient treatment.
Patients at the AHN Cancer Institute will be able to wear virtual reality headset during their treatment. AHN says patients can choose from various scenes with an immersive experience that includes the sights and sounds of their chosen scene.
In a release, AHN said some of the options available to patients include sitting near a lake, walking in the woods, watching a sun rise at the ocean.
“Research has shown that when the brain focuses on a pleasurable virtual experience, it perceives stress and discomfort at lower levels,” said Pat McCutcheon, Senior Vice President of Market Partnerships, Harvard MedTech. “Over time, the virtual reality experience can induce neural pathway changes in the brain that promote long-term pain relief and reduced anxiety and depression. It’s a revolutionary concept that is transforming our understanding of how to manage pain and the psychosocial effects of trauma without drugs or surgery.”
A total of 29 VR headsets have been donated to the AHN Cancer Institute by Harvard MedTech.
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The virtual reality technology is also being used by AHN in other areas including teaching others how to cope with stress and axiety and helping patients cope with chronic pain and behavioral health issues that go along with the pain.