A French startup, C2Care, has partnered with Marseille hospitals for a groundbreaking trial using virtual reality (VR) to ease stress in lung transplant patients, potentially lowering rejection risks.
“Virtual reality is entering a therapeutic phase that can save lives,” Pierre Gadea, director of C2Care, told L'Usine Digitale on December 16, 2019.
Headquartered in Toulon, C2Care develops evidence-based VR therapeutic tools for healthcare professionals. These applications target phobias, addictions, eating disorders, depression, and functional disorders.
In this partnership, VR will help alleviate post-operative stress for lung transplant recipients. Starting January 2020, 20 selected patients will experience immersive virtual environments in this world-first experiment.
Post-operative stress can compromise recovery. While it doesn't directly cause graft rejection, it often leads to significant sleep deprivation, which can harm the transplant's success.
Common stressors include hospital noises, such as an empty IV infusion bag, which can trigger unnecessary anxiety despite posing no real threat. Intubated and restrained, patients also struggle to communicate.
Prior to surgery, participants will undergo three 45-minute VR sessions guided by a psychologist. Wearing a VR headset, they'll explore a simulated ICU room mirroring their post-op reality—complete with machines and sounds—to build familiarity and reduce anxiety.
These sessions aim to demystify the environment and teach practical relaxation techniques for use upon waking.
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