Virtual Reality Lab

Youth wearing VR headsets merging therapy and fun in a physical therapy research session, Credit Vanessa Loring Pexels.

Virtual Reality Laboratory

The Virtual Reality Laboratory, located within the Department of Physical Therapy at UNMC's Munroe-Meyer Institute (MMI) is researching how cutting-edge virtual reality technology can be applied to help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Combining engineering and rehabilitation sciences, the Virtual Reality Laboratory develops and evaluates new ways to care for individuals with IDD. This laboratory works with MMI’s clinical teams to build custom technologies that include the key therapeutic ingredients necessary for successful clinical outcomes.

Current Projects

Hand Arm Bimanual Intensive Training in Virtual Reality (HABIT-VR)

HABIT-VR takes the proven therapy technique of HABIT and turns it in therapeutic video games! Our interdisciplinary team of engineers, occupational therapists and physical therapists work together to build these games at MMI and ensure that the games have everything they need to improve upper-extremity function while still being fun.

Child wearing VR headset uses one handheld controller to reach in a video game merging therapy and fun; a research assistant observes.

Child wearing VR headset coordinates two handheld controllers to scoop ice cream in a video game merging therapy and fun; a research assistant observes.

 Child wearing VR headset uses handheld controller to reach in a video game merging therapy and fun; an undergraduate research assistant observes.
VR view of a mini-game in HABIT-VR where rockets are fired at robots in space. VR view of a mini-game in HABIT-VR where jars are opened in a factory to activate surprising effects. VR view of a mini-game in HABIT-VR where ice cream cones are served to customers at an ice cream truck.

VR view of a mini-game in HABIT-VR where food is chopped up to make potions in a magical forest.
Learn more about HABIT-VR in stories from WOWT, UNMC Today, UNL Today, the Daily Nebraskan and UNeMed.

 

Activity of Daily Living Simulators

Some skills can be difficult or unsafe to practice in the real world. In the Virtual Reality Laboratory, we create realistic virtual environments that allow people to safely practice these skills at their own comfort level. Our team partners with clinicians and researchers from the integrated Center for Autism Spectrum Disorder (iCASD) and has developed a simulator to practice receiving a haircut or practice crossing the street, using our state of the art equipment.

VR view of the entrance to the hair salon from the parking lot. The hair salon has a logo of a cartoon sheep and is named Premier Shears.

VR view of waiting room and front desk area of a virtual hair salon.

VR view of the front desk and haircut booths of a virtual hair salon.
The Street Crossing Simulator’s main menu showing six intersection options in Omaha that can be selected for practice.

Contact

For more information about projects or the VR Lab at MMI, email James Gehringer, PhD.