Virtual reality at the Children's Hospital Lucerne

When parents come with their children to the Children's and Adolescents' Emergency Centre at the Children's Hospital in Lucerne Cantonal Hospital (LUKS), the little patients are often in pain and scared. The examinations and treatments are an additional burden for them as well as for their parents. This is where virtual reality technology will provide a remedy in the future. Because what has been known in the gaming scene for a long time is now also being used by the children's hospital: with special VR glasses and headphones, the children can immerse themselves in another three-dimensional world, be it a dive through the colourful underwater world, an excursion through a densely overgrown forest or a walk through a winter landscape.

However, without the gaming factor, but with the help of a medical hypnosis introduction: Through the combination of visual and auditory environment, the children are shielded from the situation in the emergency centre. After only a short time, they relax and become calmer. This enables the medical and nursing team to carry out treatments more easily and quickly. The stress for the parents is also reduced.

Anxiety reduction scientifically proven

The special VR technology for hospitals was developed in close cooperation with doctors and neuroscientists. Findings and principles from psychology, music therapy and breathing techniques were taken into account. Clinical studies show that immersion in virtual worlds can significantly reduce pain and anxiety.

Two sets of glasses are available at the Children's and Young People's Emergency Centre. They are suitable for all children whose head is sufficiently large - approximately from school age - and who would like to virtually change into a calm, beautiful environment.

The VR sets are made possible by the Stiftung Zukunft Kinderspital Zentralschweiz (Future Children's Hospital Central Switzerland Foundation), which thus takes account of its funding focus on accompaniment and realises the funding programme Future Projects of the Employees.

Source: Lucerne Cantonal Hospital