Virtual Reality Immersive Therapy

Posted on: 07th July 2025

Torbay is leading the way in virtual reality immersive therapy

People with chronic pain conditions are the first in the country to use new cutting-edge virtual reality (VR) immersive technology to help manage their conditions.

During the past 18-months the Pain Rehabilitation Team and Digital Futures at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust (TSDFT) have worked with around 50 patients, all with differing physical challenges resulting from chronic pain, or suffering with severe anxiety, to test a range of VR products to assess their benefit with the hope of finding alternative solutions to treatment and combat these conditions.

The team held a summer showcase at Torbay Hospital on Monday 07 July where people could learn more about the range of treatments on offer. The team was joined by former patients who are now supporting this scheme as volunteer for this method of treatment, and the Torbay Hospital League of Friends that generously bought key equipment to allow this vital service evaluation and research work to take place.

Trust Chairman Chris Balch added: “Our physiotherapy teams are taking this portable technology into people’s homes to help patients manage chronic pain, meaning you don’t have to travel into a hospital setting. This is better for a lot of people as they get to work on their condition but in a location where they feel comfortable.

“We have recently seen the announcement of the new 10-year plan for the NHS, where three key shifts are highlighted – from hospital to community, from analogue to digital, and from treatment to prevention.

“This type of cutting-edge healthcare using VR technology, examining how we can tackle pain and anxiety through non-medicated pathways and within the patients home absolutely supports the future aspirations of the NHS. I am so proud of the Pain Rehabilitation Team for their energy and passion in driving this technology forward for the good of our patients.”

Martin Tucker, Chair of Torbay Hospital League of Friends who attended the Summer Showcase event at Torbay Hospital, said: “The League of Friends are delighted to support the Pain Rehabilitation Team. We paid for and donated the two headsets, and the license needed to allow the team to start exploring this new way of working.

“This is cutting edge technology, and we are so proud to see the Trust trying something new and innovative to make strides in developing this new way of looking at health and rehabilitation.”