How Sheba’s Immersive Rehabilitation Room Transforms Therapy Experience

This room is a part of Sheba’s Rehabilitation Center and uses visual projections on three walls and the floor to create an interactive space that significantly upgrades therapeutic sessions.

The original purpose of this technology was educational, but now Sheba is adapting it for the rehabilitation of adults.

“This technology makes therapy more engaging and motivates patients to participate actively. What was once a repetitive routine is now a dynamic experience that patients look forward to.”

The Immersive Rehabilitation Room Experience

Engaging Therapy Scenarios
In Sheba Medical Center’s Immersive Rehab Room, therapy is not just a treatment—it’s a vivid experience. Patients can experience serene forest walks, explore a virtual bustling shopping mall, or work out in the interactive “Sheba Gym.”

Each scenario is carefully designed to draw patients into their therapy sessions, making rehabilitation something they look forward to.

Interactive Technology
The room’s advanced technology quickly responds to every move, turning regular exercises into fun tasks that patients actively participate in. They can swat at virtual balls, dodge obstacles, or complete puzzles that stimulate both body and mind.

This game-changing therapy approach creates a dynamic atmosphere, motivating patients to engage actively in their sessions.

Customizable Content
The best part of the Immersive Rehabilitation Room is that Sheba’s therapists don’t have to follow a one-size-fits-all approach. Using the content creation system, they can customize each session to meet the unique needs of each patient.

For example, they can design a session to help a patient with a fear of heights. This involves gradually immersing them in virtual scenarios that simulate climbing a mountain, ensuring a controlled and supportive environment to overcome their fear.

Expanding the Use of Immersive Technology

Sheba plans to expand immersive technology in rehabilitation, especially for adults. Here’s how they will do it.

Exposure Therapy
Consider a patient who needs to overcome a fear of heights. In a traditional setting, exposure therapy can be challenging to simulate effectively. In Sheba’s Immersive Rehabilitation Room, you can create a realistic simulation of standing at a great height to help the patient face their fear in a controlled and safe environment.

That way, they can gradually gain confidence and become less sensitive to fear. This approach makes exposure therapy more effective and easier to handle.

Transitioning Back Home

Similarly, patients returning home after a long rehabilitation hospital stay may experience anxiety. In Sheba’s Immersive Rehabilitation Room, you can address this challenge in two ways:

1. While receiving treatment, create a 360-degree virtual replica of the patient’s home for them to explore and get familiar with. This helps patients feel connected to their home environment and eases their anxiety during their stay.

    

2. Provide patients with virtual simulations of home-related tasks, such as preparing the space for their return. Patients can interact with a virtual model of their home and practice daily tasks. This helps them feel more ready and at ease with the transition.