Movement Is Medicine: Virtual Reality, Occupational and Physical Therapy Unite to Help Patient Stay Active

Earlier than arriving at Lucile Packard Youngsters’s Hospital Stanford for a stem cell transplant, Phoenix McKenna liked to play sports activities.

Phoenix and her household selected a stem cell, or bone marrow, transplant to remedy her aplastic anemia, a bone marrow failure disorder through which the physique doesn’t produce sufficient purple blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Phoenix wanted frequent transfusions to assist stave off extreme bleeding, cut back her threat of an infection, and hold her power up.

The stem cell transplant required a protracted hospital keep, and that’s the place the physical and occupational therapy care groups stepped in, utilizing digital actuality (VR) to assist Phoenix faucet into her love of sports activities, keep lively, and hold her spirits up.

“I used to be very sporty earlier than this—soccer, basketball, cheer—and I believe VR performed into that,” Phoenix stated. “If I didn’t have PT on the hospital, I’d be so bored!”

Pheonix labored arduous every session along with her bodily remedy staff, Mary Hunter and Adrianna Castilla, and occupational therapist Shannen Mendelsohn. VR additionally helped Phoenix train exterior of remedy, which was vital for her to succeed in her targets.

Hunter and the Stanford Drugs Youngsters’s Well being Chariot Program introduced enjoyable, tech-powered instruments for Phoenix to remain lively and engaged.  

“Utilizing VR exergaming actions helped encourage Phoenix to maneuver extra throughout PT and spend extra time away from bed exterior of rehab classes,” Hunter stated.

VR uniquely pairs motion and gaming for an immersive expertise. In a single session, Phoenix discovered herself reaching overhead for cheese and tomatoes in a digital grocery retailer. In one other, she moved her arms and danced to the beat whereas slashing targets with digital mild sabers. Each time she stepped into VR, Phoenix and her mother laughed and celebrated her success.

“The VR shifted her temper and her pleasure to rise up and transfer—and it was additionally enjoyable,” stated Phoenix’s mother, Laura.

As one other method to move the time throughout her hospital keep, Phoenix began a bracelet-making enterprise. She used a few of the proceeds to purchase an electrical bike.

Phoenix was discharged from the hospital, and though it’s nonetheless early, her blood counts are close to wholesome ranges. She not wants transfusions, and her platelet ranges are excessive sufficient that she will journey her new electrical bike with out worrying about extreme bleeding if she falls.  “I hope Phoenix lives a vibrant and lively life with no need any future transfusions,” stated Tami John, MD, who carried out Phoenix’s stem cell transplant. “She is a really social, inventive, considerate, and lively younger individual, and I can’t wait to see what the long run holds for her.”

Learn more about stem cell transplantation at Stanford Children’s >