Revolutionizing Children's Rehabilitation: XR Technology Takes Center Stage
Karolinska Institutet secures funding to enhance children's rehabilitation using XR technology.
Key Points
- • Karolinska Institutet receives 29 million SEK for XR technology research.
- • A competence center for XR technology will be established for children's rehabilitation.
- • The project aims to improve patient engagement and treatment outcomes.
- • Plans for collaboration with tech companies and hospitals are underway.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet are making significant strides in enhancing rehabilitation for children and young people through extended reality (XR) technologies, following a substantial grant of 29 million SEK from Vinnova. This funding will pave the way for the creation of a competence center dedicated to XR technology, focusing on virtual, augmented, and mixed reality applications aimed at improving rehabilitation outcomes.
The initiative, aptly dubbed "Rehabilitation, from hospital to home, using XR technology," targets the often challenging rehabilitation journey children face. The project aspires to create engaging digital tools for use in both clinical settings and at home, enabling fun and interactive rehabilitation experiences through the use of 3D models and motion tracking. Eva Broström, a researcher in the Department of Women's and Children's Health, emphasized the aim to enhance patient engagement while improving treatment outcomes.
A key element of this project is to foster enjoyable rehabilitation through gamification, thereby motivating patients during their recovery. Furthermore, healthcare providers will be equipped with tools for real-time monitoring and adjustments to treatment plans. Collaborations with various technology companies and clinics, notably Astrid Lindgren's Children's Hospital and Stanford University, are set to support the development of practical solutions. This groundbreaking project is expected to commence after the summer, offering promising prospects for revolutionizing rehabilitation practices for children on a global scale.