2nd World Congress on Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation & 2nd International Congress on Psychology & Behavioral Sciences
12-13 JUNE 2025 | HYBRID EVENT
Sophie C.A. Price
University of Leeds, United Kingdom
Background: Neurological disorders are leading causes of disability and mortality. NHS neu- rorehabilitation delivery is limited by finite numbers of occupational therapists (OTs), physio- therapists (PTs) and speech and language therapists (SLTs).
Immersive technologies such as Mixed Reality (MR) could complement delivery and gain effi- ciencies with the available in-person resource – however, limited evidence exists for its utility in healthcare. Prior to efficacy studies, a feasibility study would inform implementation.
Objective: To investigate the feasibility and barriers of implementing MR, specifically Micro- soft HoloLens-2 (HL-2), in neurorehabilitation, by analysing the perceptions of PTs, OTs and SLTs.
Methods: Mixed-methods, prospective cohort study utilising maximum variation purposive sampling. Neuro-therapists at a tertiary NHS Hospital Trust (Leeds) trialled HL-2 and complet- ed a questionnaire and semi-structured interview. Quantitative and coded thematic analyses were conducted.
Results: The sample (n=22) was predominantly female (n=20), ≤40 years old (n=17) and high- ly qualified.
81.8% of therapists perceived HL-2 useful; 77.3% would adopt it into their practice – PTs most likely, OTs least.
68.2% found HL-2 easy to use, but only 18.2% thought their patients would. Aspects of HL-2’s hardware and software were considered strengths. However, there were concerns regarding patients with severe cognitive/visuospatial/depth perception impairments.
Motion sickness and disorientation (typically experienced in virtual reality) were reported by 0% and 13.6% (median severity=3/10, IQR=4) respectively. 22.7% reported impaired vision (me- dian severity=5/10, IQR=3.5). No other adverse effects were reported.
Conclusions: Therapists’ perceptions of HL-2’s complexity, relative advantage and safety are likely to facilitate implementation. However, HL-2’s compatibility requires further investiga- tion. Overall, a follow-on study is justified.
Sophie C.A. Price, is affiliated with the University of Leeds, United Kingdom, and contributes to academic re- search and development in her field of study.