Empowering Patients, Boosting Wellness, and Enhancing Physician Engagement through Immersive Healing
EASING DISEASE BURDEN
Through all my hospitalizations, scans, clinic visits and endless hours of sitting in an infusion chair receiving chemotherapy, I felt lost, vulnerable, and anxious. I dreamed of nature scenes, walking on forest trails, sitting on the edge of a river, big blue skies with billowy white clouds floating over me and into the horizon, using my imagination to transport me to a place of healing. - Lars
Lars Wanberg is a bladder cancer advocate and is on the Steering Committee of the Convergent Science Cancer Consortium, led by USC, a scalable research infrastructure to demonstrate how convergent science research will address the gaps in cancer care.
The Simple Joy of Living
Patient Stories of Hope, Resilience, Recovery
Be Well XR immersive storytelling is designed to address the emotional and psychological aspects of disease, often overlooked in traditional patient education.
By sharing impactful patient stories in an intimate and private 3-dimensional immersive format, patients can find solace and inspiration, coping with the emotional burden of their condition.
This empathetic connection can also encourage patients to open up about their own experiences, fostering a sense of connection and reducing feelings of isolation.
Patients are no longer mere observers, but active participants in the own care, inviting health care workers and family on their journey.
Pain Management Therapy
Addressing a Critical Need in Palliative Healthcare
Be Well XR seeks to reduce suffering and improve quality of life for palliative care patients by utilizing the power of the latest virtual reality technology in harmony with our creative suite of science based immersive nature therapeutic experiences.
Nature therapy, also known as nature-based interventions or ecotherapy, is a holistic approach that utilizes the healing power of nature to improve mental and physical health. Research has shown that spending time in nature has positive effects on mental health, including improved mood, cognition, and well-being, as well as reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression. However, nature therapy goes beyond simply being outdoors; it involves structured interventions led by certified therapists or healthcare practitioners to achieve specific health goals.
For individuals unable to access outdoor environments, virtual reality (VR) offers a promising alternative. VR ecotherapy fully immerses patients in real world locations, filmed in 3-Dimensional, ultra high resolution (8K) clarity. The Be Well XR catalogue library of natural landscapes, provide a multi-sensory experience that mimics the benefits of being in nature. Studies have shown that immersive VR nature therapy can reduce stress and anxiety, boost immune function, alleviate pain, combat depression and PTSD, and improve cognitive function and quality of life.
Ecotherapy Guided Practices
IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCES FOR PATIENTS
Animal-assisted Experiences
Animal assisted interactions appears to provide general benefits for both physical and psychological health. Evidence for animal assisted therapy appears strongest for markers of anxiety and depression in the widest range of people.
Blue Spaces
Blue spaces refer to any natural water environment, including oceans, lakes, and rivers. Just like green spaces, blue spaces have numerous benefits for mental health and well-being, with a University of Sussex study finding that people were the happiest when in blue spaces, such as beside the sea. Being near or in water can have an intensely calming effect on the brain. The sound of water promotes relaxation, reduces stress levels, and even improves memory, while the sight of water can have a restorative effect on mental fatigue.
Green Space Exercises
Tai Chi, Yoga, & Qigong
Research has shown that certain exercises originating in Eastern cultures can offer just as many physical and psychological health benefits as the more vigorous exercises that often dominate Western workouts. Even better, these Eastern exercises tend to be easier on the body. For example, the gentle arts of tai chi, yoga, and Qi gong, not only can help build muscle but it has been shown to help reduce arthritis symptoms and improve balance.
Nostalgia Vignettes
Memory, that whisper of what once was, beckons us to revisit the joys of our youth. But for those who are physically disabled, the ache of physical limitations can be a heavy burden to bear. Yet, immersive therapy can be a liberator of sorts, freeing the spirit from physical limitations. With virtual reality, the elderly and physically disabled can once again embrace the simple pleasures that brought them such delight in their past. The grandfather, whose arthritic hands can no longer grip a baseball, can now toss a virtual one to his giggling grandchild, reliving the warmth of an earlier era. The beachcomber, confined to a wheelchair, can soar on the digital winds, kite dancing in the virtual skies, as the sun shines bright on their face.
Shinrin-Yoku (Forest Bathing)
Shinrin-Yoku forest bathing meditations consists of a series of activities & invitations, designed to help the participants to bathe in the surroundings, the environment and energy of the forest, allowing them to slow down, breathe, and refocus on their body, while connecting to their various senses. For a more structured experience, trained guides lead immersive sessions for a meditative ecotherapy excursion.
Sound Bath
A sound bath is an experience where you’re immersed in deep sound vibrations. More precisely, sound baths are rooted in the idea that these particular frequencies correspond to specific energy centers in your body. A sound bath is a deeply immersive, full-body listening experience that uses sound and simple mindfulness techniques to invite gentle yet powerful therapeutic and restorative processes to the mind and body.
Therapeutic Gardening
Therapeutic gardening is a plant-dominated environment purposefully designed to facilitate interaction with the healing elements of flowers and plants. Interactions can be passive or active depending on the garden design and users’ needs. There are many sub-types of therapeutic gardens including healing gardens, enabling gardens, rehabilitation gardens, and restorative gardens.
Blue Zone Kitchen
Disease Fighting Recipe Creation in Virtual Reality
Nourishing the Microbiome: Unlocking the Power of Healthy Eating for Wellbeing
One of the most significant breakthroughs in recent years has been the discovery of the human microbiome, a vast ecosystem of microorganisms living within and on our bodies. This invisible world plays a crucial role in our overall well-being, influencing everything from digestion and immunity to mental health and chronic disease risk.
The key to harnessing the microbiome's potential lies in the food we eat. A diet rich in whole, unprocessed foods, such as those found in the Mediterranean diet, provides the essential nutrients and fiber that feed and support the growth of beneficial microorganisms. This, in turn, bolsters our defenses against disease and promotes optimal health during and after treatments.
An immersive VR-based masterclass in healthy food preparation offers a revolutionary approach to culinary education, empowering individuals to take control of their health and wellbeing. By leveraging the interactive and engaging nature of VR technology, this masterclass provides a comprehensive and experiential learning experience, teaching participants how to prepare nutritious meals that support optimal health.
The immservie Blue Zone Cooking Masterclass offers an engaging and interactive learning experience, making healthy cooking accessible and enjoyable for everyone. By combining cutting-edge technology with expert culinary guidance, this innovative approach to healthy food preparation empowers individuals to take control of their health and wellbeing, leading to a happier, healthier life.
The health benefits include:
- Supporting the growth of beneficial bacteria: Through interactive VR lessons, participants learn how to incorporate fermented foods and prebiotic-rich ingredients into their cooking, promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria like Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus. These microorganisms strengthen our immune systems and enhance nutrient absorption, leading to improved overall health.
- Reducing inflammation: The masterclass focuses on teaching anti-inflammatory cooking techniques and ingredient selection, helping participants understand how to reduce inflammation in their bodies. Chronic inflammation is a known precursor to diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, making this knowledge crucial for long-term health.
- Promoting short-chain fatty acid production: Participants learn how to prepare meals rich in fiber and resistant starch, which stimulate the production of short-chain fatty acids. These essential compounds nourish our cells, support healthy metabolism, and contribute to overall wellbeing.
- Enhancing cognitive function and mental wellbeing: The gut-brain axis is a critical connection between our digestive system and brain function. By learning how to prepare foods that support gut health, participants can improve their cognitive function, mental clarity, and overall mental wellbeing.