Immersive Technology and Mental Health: Collaboration with Fundación Villablanca

A couple of weeks ago, we took part in the training conference “Digital Technologies and Mental Health”, organized by Grup Pere Mata in Reus. The event brought together professionals from the healthcare and social sectors to reflect on the challenges and opportunities that emerging technologies offer in the field of mental health.

During the conference, over 200 attendees joined the presentation by Ignasi Capellà, in which we shared some of the insights and results from our most recent projects. One of the most notable examples was our ongoing collaboration since 2021 with Fundación Villablanca, a pioneering organization in the application of immersive reality for people with intellectual disabilities and other developmental disorders.

Four Years of Therapeutic Immersion with Broomx at Villablanca

For over four years now, the Villablanca residences in Reus have been equipped with two immersive reality systems from Broomx, used within the framework of various innovative projects—some funded by the state and others supported by the “la Caixa” Foundation. This continuity over time has not only enabled the integration of these tools into daily practice but has also contributed to building knowledge about their therapeutic benefits.

One of the most emblematic projects is El Món a Dins (“The World Within”), an intervention experience carried out in a room equipped with a 360-degree projector that creates immersive virtual environments. Within this context, several therapeutic aspects are addressed: sensory stimulation—exposing users to sounds, images, and gentle movements to awaken the senses and enhance focus; relaxation through calming landscapes or immersive music; social skills development through group dynamics within immersive content; and memory recall (reminiscence) linked to familiar spaces and situations.

Immersive Innovation for Inclusion and Well-Being

Beyond its therapeutic value, the project has a strong community component: open sessions have been held for the public as part of awareness events, such as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, thus strengthening the link between social innovation and the local community.

In parallel, Villablanca is also participating in the multicenter research study NUTESCOTI, focused on new techniques for sensory, physical, and cognitive stimulation. This project, developed in collaboration with other organizations in the sector—such as the Mental Health Cluster of Catalonia (Clúster Salut Mental Catalunya)—combines hands-on interventions with rigorous evaluation, aiming to explore how immersive technologies can enhance well-being in vulnerable populations.

These projects not only reinforce Villablanca’s commitment to transforming social care but also demonstrate how technology, when thoughtfully applied, can be a powerful tool for inclusion, well-being, and the improvement of mental health.

We are proud to be part of this journey toward more humane, personalized care—deeply connected to the potential of innovation.