Making the Virtual a Reality in Palliative Care: A therapeutic tool for patient care

HOW CAN VIRTUAL REALITY REDUCE PAIN?

For some Virtual Reality is a hobby or distraction and for others a genuine pain relief.

Virtual Reality can in fact have a medical usage, reducing some stress and phobias. VR has a direct effect on the brain: taking into account all of the VR signals it receives it concentrates on these and conceals others; such as pain.

“My son was taking a lot of medicines. VR was a way of fighting back without injecting more into his body” says Tamara mother of a child using VR in hospital.

The Cedars-Sinai medical Centre undertook research with nearly 100 patients who watched VR videos, and who experienced a 24% reduction in pain compared to the 13.2% experienced by those watching in 2D.

“Its possible that over the next 18 months we will find that VR has just as much of a place in health treatment as it does in your living room.” outlined Avi Greengart, analyst at Curent Analysis.

SO, WHY IS THIS VR PROJECT INNOVATIVE?

This project is not just ours’ but also our patients. Without them we couldn’t do it. Our main objective? To work in co-creation/partnership with our patients: to know which elements, which worlds, which environments, are best adapted to reduce their discomfort and stress.

This will be about a large-scale project. The plan is not to limit the project to the Centre Eugène Marquis but to open it to hospitals globally. This project will be the experiment from which the results will be key to developing and improving the therapeutic usage of VR.

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The Centre Eugène Marquis is joining Leyton and Atao Promotions, as partners of Arthur Le Vaillant, for the Route du Rhum.

This partnership with skipper Arthur le Vaillant allows the partners to share their common values of, sustainability, teamwork and rising to the challenge. This project was created to use crowdfunding to develop the virtual reality systems that will be available to cancer sufferers. All of the project-sponsors will use their contacts and their wider network along with general public donations to raise funds.

WHY HELP FUND THIS PROJECT?

The physical and emotional effects of cancer and its treatment is a significant challenge for all involved.

Research shows that integrating palliative care to a cancer sufferer’s treatment schedule as soon as possible (Kinesitherapy, adapted physic activities, palliative cares, nutrition, medical hypnosis,...) can have positive effects on the quality of life, and be beneficial to both the patient, and family’s overall well-being.

One of our interns has come up with the original idea of a VR (Virtual Reality) prototype that could be used as a therapeutic tool providing both relaxation and pain-relief to patients.

Imagine a system where patients can project themselves into the most staggeringly beautiful mountains, explore a paradise island surrounded by a turquoise sea or just play with their dog. It's possible to imagine using virtual reality to help patients to prepare themselves to the treatment of their disease. Thanks to you, this project could become reality.

“Thanks to you, this project could become a real part of daily treatments!”

HOW EXACTLY WILL IT WORK?

The minimum budget needed to set the system up is €40k this will cover headsets, computers, software, prototyping and testing of one landscape / scene.

For each additional €20k raised we will be able to create new and alternative environments in which patients can immerse themselves.

The landscapes will be developed with real patients and they will be involved in all stages of this development.

“Patients will be involved in the development of the virtual immersion environments.”

ARTHUR LE VAILLANT, A BRAVE SKIPPER SUPPORTING OUR EFFORTS

Arthur Le Vaillant is a 30-year-old talented sportsman who describes himself as an “entrepreneurial dreamer in constant search of creating a positive impact on the world”. This two year partnership will include the following races: the Route du Rhum 2018, the Rolex Fastnet 2019 and the Transat Jacques Vabre 2019.

Fully involved in this crowdfunding project, Arthur will personally support the fundraising by doing several challenges during the first race of his new sailing ship on the Route du Rhum, in November.

“Each time the crowdfunding reaches a specific level, we will set Arthur a new fun and sporting challenge to undertake during the Route du Rhum.”

Stay in touch via the social media channels of our partners to discover more about the challenges.

ABOUT US

Le Centre Eugène Marquis, based in Rennes, France, is one of the eighteen Centers for Fight Against Cancer. A foundation recognised by public utility, le Centre Eugène Marquis places great importance on the healthcare quality and patient care. It focuses on five major therapeutic disciplines: surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, interventional radiology and nuclear medicine. Research and education are essential components of le Centre Eugène Marquis activities which is associated with the University of Rennes.

Doctors and scientists of le Centre Eugène Marquis are involved in innovative research projects and clinical trials in order to advance the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancerous conditions. www.centre-eugene-marquis.fr

ABOUT OUR PARTNERS

Leyton was founded in 1997 and focused on innovation incentives, and is now an international advisory network dedicated to helping their clients to improve their global performance. Our 3 business lines are innovation incentives, consulting and business process outsourcing. Using our know-how, companies can benefit of complementary sources of financing while remaining focus in their core business. To contribute to the growth of our clients is our every day commitment. www.leyton.com

ATAO Promotion is a real estate promoter, founded in 2012 by Louis Romieux, specialised in the realisation of real estate operations in Housing, Office Real Estate, Hotels and Thalassotherapy. Initially located in the West of France and the Parisian region, but has now extended to the support the entire nation. www.atao-promotion.fr

ABOUT ARTHUR LE VAILLANT

At 30 years old, Arthur is both a talented navigator and a top athlete. An entrepreneur and ocean lover, he is constantly looking for opportunities to explore the world and pursue his dreams by being a fierce competitor. His only goals: the victory, of course, but mainly the experience of sharing.

He was the youngest participant of the Solitaire du Figaro and the Vice-World Champion of Open 570 in 2010 and the Winner of the Rolex Fastnet Race 2013.

In 2013-2014 he was Member of the France team and “Espoir de course au large”, and one year later, he was the Winner of Cowes Week and of the Channel Race 2015. In 2017 he is the Winner of the Grand Prix Guyader 2017 and Second of the last Transat Jacques Vabre just a few minutes after the winner.

He will take the start of the Route du Rhum 2018 for the first time on board of Leyton's Class40.