Following an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI), survivors may experience high levels of anxiety and agitation. Mindfulness and guided relation can be effective skills for learning ways to self-regulate, however these skills may not always be accessible to all ABI survivors.

Early research suggest with neurologically intact population suggests that Virtual Reality relaxation can reduce stress and anxiety (Williams et al., 2024) and has demonstrated usefulness in increasing relaxation, happiness and connectedness to nature as well as reducing violent incidents within ward environments (Riches et al., 2023).

Virtual Reality can provide ABI survivors with calming and highly immersive experiences to support the development of mindfulness and relaxation skills. The programmes can involve mindfulness activities such as guided breathing and safe place meditations. The immersive aspect may benefit ABI survivors who may struggle with the abstract nature of these exercises.

At Living with ABI Ltd we meet with our clients face to face to support virtual reality mindfulness practice and guided relaxation. We choose from a range of programmes, according to the clients’ interests and areas of difficulty, to create a person-centred treatment programme.

Following an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI), survivors may experience pain, fatigue, reduced mobility and balance. Depending on the nature of the injury, both fine and gross motor skills can be effected. ABI survivors may be unable to return to previously valued sports and forms of exercise, impacting on their quality of life and overall health, or may struggle to engage with recommended exercises as part of their programme of rehabilitation.

Research with stroke survivors reports potential for improvements in motor functions, greater community participation and improved psychological and cognitive function. (Masetti et al. 2018)

Virtual Reality can support ABI survivors to increase their physical activity, improving engagement in their physical rehabilitation through the use of immersive environments and gamification principles. Activities such as cycling, aiming for targets, boxing, rowing, drawing, and manipulating 3D objects can be selected as part of a person centred programme to improve functional outcome and overall physical fitness.

At Living with ABI Ltd we work alongside occupational therapists, physiotherapists and personal trainers to build virtual reality experiences into rehabilitation plans. Our person-centred packages are guided by our client’s interests and rehab goals, to produce experiences which are fun, rewarding and support good outcomes in rehabilitation.

Following an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI), survivors may experience changes to their cognitive processes. This can include changes planning and organisation, problem solving skills, processing speed and self-awareness. ABI survivors are often living with social isolation and may struggle to initiate activities that give them a sense of social connection, satisfaction and enjoyment. These changes can leave ABI survivors vulnerable to mood difficulties and reduced quality of life.

Research with people with cognitive impairment has shown that utilising virtual reality training can significantly improve cognitive functions such as executive and visual-spatial abilities; speech, attention and memory skills (Maggio et al., 2019).

Virtual reality enables ABI survivors to engage with a wide range of enjoyable and stimulating activities. These can include completing 3D puzzles, learning to play musical instruments and learning new languages.

Some ABI survivors may have enjoyed high adrenalin activities such as extreme sports or motorcycling but may be unable to engage with these following their injury. Virtual reality can also help ABI survivors to find excitement again, without leaving their home. Activities can include going on safari, visiting new countries, going into space, flying and motorcycle racing.

At Living with ABI Ltd we work with support teams, ABI survivors and their families to develop an understanding of our client’s lives and interests pre and post injury. We construct packages of virtual reality experiences to provide cognitive stimulation and to bring back a sense of excitement into their lives.