VR offers exciting possibility in disability support

A study led by Western Sydney University (WSU) and published in the journal Scientific Reports has found that immersive VR technology may offer exciting potential for the disability sector.

Researchers conducted a five-month study involving 31 adults with varying neurodevelopmental disabilities including autism and intellectual disability, and concluded that use of the new immersive Evenness VR Sensory Space technology offered improvement in sensory processing in addition to alleviation of anxiety and depression.

Co-lead researcher Dr Caroline Mills, from WSU’s School of Health Sciences and Translational Health Research Institute, said the promising application of immersive VR in the disability sector has exciting potential to inform new practices for organisations who support people with a neurodevelopmental disability.

“Our findings have shown that VR technology may offer a promising avenue for the provision of sensory interventions and an effective calming tool, with the most prominent benefit reported by users being a reduction in anxiety,” Mills said.

Co-lead author Professor Danielle Tracey, from WSU’s School of Education and Translational Health Research Institute, said the Evenness VR Sensory Space could have effective application as a clinical intervention.

“Given the preliminary nature of this study, we are pursuing more robust future study designs to better understand the benefits and ensure the program can be used in real-life environments to support the people that need it,” Tracey said.

The study was conducted in collaboration with researchers from the University of Wollongong, in partnership with The Disability Trust and tech company Devika.

Ken Kencevski, Managing Director of Devika, said the findings significantly support the evolution of the program.

“Dr Mills and the team have allowed us to improve and validate Evenness Sensory Space as we look to increase its positive impact to individuals, centres and communities around Australia,” he said.

For more information on the technology, visit the webpage here. The full research report titled ‘Exploring the benefits of the Evenness Virtual Reality Sensory Room’ is also available on the same site.

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