Unparalleled relief with immersive technology

In a new video, Air Force Veteran Laurie Hardin describes the transformative benefits she has experienced with immersive technology after feeling like she had tried everything else to manage her service-connected low back and leg pain.

Hardin first became familiar with virtual reality (VR) in VA during one of her appointments in 2021, when she discovered a brochure for VA's Immersive Chronic Pain program. "I didn't really have that much hope in it. It sounded like a video playing thing and I'm not into video games," Hardin said.

She was willing to give it a try, so she signed up for her first session. During the introductory appointment she spent some time getting familiar with the headset before setting up her virtual environment, which was a forest. "It was just astonishing because it was so real," she shared.

In addition to providing chronic pain relief, Hardin had another realization about the potential of immersive technology: "I've always wanted to meditate, but I can never sit still and just concentrate on it. I thought this would be a good meditation tool for me."

Hardin's realization led her to explore her next environment, which was the beach. As she listened to the waves crash, she felt completely immersed in the experience. "This is like a mini vacation," she said.

A life-changing first experience

What stood out most to Hardin was how she saw benefits after just one session. Coming home from the appointment, she found that she had an easier time than usual getting out of her car and getting into the house.

That evening, the effects of the VR therapy became even more evident. "I relaxed for the first time in eons. And when I say 'relaxed,' this was where you really feel good. The pain wasn't there and it was just a whole-body type of thing," she said.

Though she had tried different ways to distract herself from her pain before, VR was an entirely different experience. It was more than just a temporary distraction-it had the ability to positively impact her entire evening in a way that medication had been unable to.

Virtual reality providing real possibilities

Hardin was truly amazed by how effective VR was for managing her pain after just one session. "It's like a godsend to me," she said, emphasizing the profound benefits immersive technology has had on her quality of life.

In addition to her environmental sessions, Hardin was also able to virtually visit Peru, which had been a dream of hers for some time. "This was a drone flying over Peru and you've got the cliffs, you've got the greenery, you've got all this scenery. It was so realistic and was so amazing to me," she added.

VR allows Veterans like Hardin to immerse themselves in new sights, sounds and experiences they otherwise may not have had access to, providing relief while also bringing joy. It provides a non-pharmaceutical and enjoyable way to find relief from chronic pain and mental health challenges.

VA has deployed over 3,500 virtual reality headsets across more than 170 VA medical centers and outpatient clinics in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Guam and American Samoa, with over 40 documented use cases and over 10,000 Veteran experiences to date.

To learn more, visit the VA Immersive website and check out the YouTube playlist.

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