VR and Rehabilitation: Dr Ram Hariharan and Dr Abayomi Salawu explore the future of patient care

Send us Fan MailDr Abayomi Salawu is a neuro-rehabilitation consultant at Hull University Teaching Hospital NHS Trust who is pioneering the use of virtual reality (VR) in rehabilitation. Dr Ram Hariharan is a consultant in spinal injuries at the Princess Royal Spinal Injuries and Rehabilitation Centre in Sheffield and the chair of the UK SCI Research Network.Dr Hariharan and Dr Salawu got together at the recent BSPRM BASCIS Joint Annual Scientific Conference in Sheffield to discuss the remarkable ways in which VR is transforming patient care, particularly for those recovering from traumatic brain injuries and stroke. Dr Salawu's innovative approach creates a virtual environment where patients can safely practice rehabilitation exercises, aiding their recovery and fostering self-reliance. And VR is impacting the rehabilitation landscape beyond physical recovery. We hear how this technology can train patients in other important aspects of self-care, such as bladder and bowel management. Dr Salawu also explains the emerging use of VR in delivering specialised psychological therapies, such as eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) for managing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. The insights from this conversation illuminate the transformative power of VR in rehabilitation and its potential to revolutionise patient care. The opinions of our host and guests are their own; ISCoS does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies. You can follow us on Twitter and LinkedInContact us directly with any questions or comments at [email protected]