Page 18 - Healthcare News Mar/Apr 2021

REHABILITATION CONT’D
Vocational Rehab Meets VR
iability Introduces Innovative Program to Better Serve Participants
V
iability Inc., a human-service provider, recently announced Project (VR)2, a virtual-reality program dedicated to enhancing access to employment for all and inclusion and empowerment for people with
disabilities and other disadvantages.
According to its creators, Project (VR)2 is where vocational rehabilitation meets
virtual reality (VR)2. This first-of-its-kind project, deployed in the midst of CO- VID-19, will help people who are chronically underserved and marginalized build the vital skills required to advance their ability to gain and maintain employment.
(VR)2 makes it possible for individuals to acquire essential interactive soft skills that make or break job success — communication, interviewing, adapting, and problem-solving — in a controlled, safe, and self-reflective virtual work envi- ronment. Partners of the virtual collaborative include Link To VR, Bodyswaps, Cleanbox Technology, and the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission.
The VR platform Bodyswaps offers a soft-skills simulator, much the same way companies like Boeing leverage flight simulators.
“Immersive VR learning provides access for individuals who are otherwise over- looked in the employment world,” said Kristin Rotas, Viability director. “Access
to training and work experiences virtually builds confidence and readiness that will better equip participants to hold jobs that provide income along with a sense of purpose to individuals, a willing workforce for employers, and greater societal equity.”
The program also offers iPads for a 2D immersion into the virtual training and readiness environments.
Collaborating with Cleanbox and Link To VR allowed Viability to safely deploy the VR project in the midst of COVID-19. Cleanbox’s system utilizes UVC rays to
eradicate 99.99% of viruses, bacteria, and fungi, essentially decontaminating the headset for reuse.
Viability’s vision for Project (VR)2 expanded significantly when the Massa- chusetts Rehabilitation Commission provided assisted funding. Together, they are pioneering a new training initiative and encouraging states to bring about technological changes to their current
rehabilitation efforts. To help manage the
deployment, Viability called on Link To VR,
a leading spatial computing company with
offices in Boston.
Joint
Continued from page 17
and become familiar with the exercises they will need to perform to properly heal after surgery.
“It can be hard to go through the ex- ercises when you aren’t feeling great, but it’s worth it,” she said. “By being stronger before the surgery, patients can get back to their normal activity sooner.”
When Rizas does prehab work to help patients build strength in their leg or hip before surgery, he said, “it gives them a run- ning head start on their rehab program.”
Healthy muscles around the joint play an important role in protecting it as well, he added, noting that the hips have a deep socket with lots of muscle surrounding them, while the shoulders have less muscle mass protecting them.
“The shoulder socket is more like a golf ball on a tee; it’s much more delicate,” Ri- zas said. “We have to be more careful when treating a shoulder because the muscles surrounding it aren’t as big as in the hips and legs.”
If a patient needs prehab but has trouble walking, therapists now have the AlterG, an anti-gravity treadmill that supports a person’s weight so they can exercise and build their strength prior to surgery. Noel-
Playing Catch-up
One year ago, when COVID-19 infection rates began to overwhelm hospitals, joint replacements, along with other elective surgeries, came to a halt. Elective surgeries have since resumed, and doctors continue to catch up with what Snyder described as
“
can get back
to their normal activity sooner.”
“innumerable joint-replacement surgeries” that were put on hold due to the pandemic. One sign that joint-replacement proce-
dures are back in business, Jury noted, was the recent addition of two new orthopedic surgeons at Mercy Medical Center.
The joint-replacement rehab areas have all beefed up their screening process as well
Please see Joint, page 38
“We were honored to take part in such a fantastic project which provides hands-on access to transformative technologies which help level a competitive employment playing field,” said Edward Zemba, CEO of Link To VR.
Immersive VR learning provides access for
Viability is a community-based human-
services agency providing employment
services, vocational and life-skills training, and other supports to more than 4,000 individuals across five states. Viability partners with more than 600 employers and leverages community resources to overcome barriers with a mission of help- ing to build a world where individuals with disabilities and other disadvantages can realize their full potential.
To learn more about Project (VR)2, e-mail Rotas at krotas@viability.org.
“
individuals who are
otherwise overlooked in the employment world.”
Physical therapist Steve Markey works with a patient on the AlterG anti-grav- ity treadmill.
Doubleday said the treadmill also helps after surgery.
“If a patient is having difficulty get-
ting their normal walking pattern back, the anti-gravity treadmill helps them get more comfortable and confident with their
walking and with their movements before their full body weight is on the joint,” she explained, noting that equipment like this was not available even 10 years ago.
By being stronger before the
surgery, patients
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