2019 Annual Conference

This session is designed for participants interested in gaining hands-on experience with commercial virtual reality (VR) equipment and games/applications with relevance for use in recreational therapy (RT) practice. Following a general overview of VR equipment, games/applications, and current evidence supporting VR use in healthcare, participants will rotate through a series of experiential learning stations.  At these stations, participants will first practice setting up VR equipment and discussing possible adaptations for different service settings. Next, participants will role play a variety of RT treatment sessions using nine different VR games/applications with relevance for diverse populations and practice settings.  This intensive experiential learning considering issues for both therapists and clients will assist participants in developing professional confidence and competence in implementing VR interventions. It will also foster understanding of how VR could be implemented in their own RT practice. The session will conclude with a group discussion about clinical implications in diverse settings in order to obtain a broader understanding of possible uses for VR in the RT profession.  Space is limited to 16 participants to maximize experiential learning opportunities.