Taking care of those who take care of us
The global COVID pandemic has brought to the surface numerous mental health problems in the general population. According to the study on Tackling the mental health impact of the COVID-19 crisis (OECD, May 2021), as of March 2020 the prevalence of anxiety and depression increased and, in many countries, even doubled. The group of health professionals has been fighting uninterruptedly against COVID in the different waves of the pandemic and is also suffering consequences at the mental health level. Some surveys indicate that 50% of these professionals may suffer from post-traumatic stress disorders and almost 1/3 have considered leaving the profession in recent months. At the Vall d’Hebron Hospital, a world-renowned healthcare complex located in Barcelona, Broomx immersive technologies began to be implemented as a key therapeutic resource in mindfulness and relaxation therapies at the end of 2020, due to the need to improve professionals’ mental health.
Immersive Mindfulness
Immersive mindfulness and relaxation therapies are used to improve the emotional health of healthcare workers. A study at the Vall d’Hebron Hospital indicated that mindfulness therapies in immersive environments are a very interesting tool for reducing anxiety and preventing mental disorders, and its benefits can also be applied to patients of different age groups and their families. The project at the Vall d’Hebron Hospital focused on offering mindfulness group sessions guided by a professional from the center itself, and enhanced with Broomx’s immersive environments. The interest and demand to participate in these sessions grew a lot, and the professional assessment has been very positive.
Immersive Mindfulness
Immersive mindfulness and relaxation therapies are used to improve the emotional health of healthcare workers. A study at the Vall d’Hebron Hospital indicated that mindfulness therapies in immersive environments are a very interesting tool for reducing anxiety and preventing mental disorders, and its benefits can also be applied to patients of different age groups and their families. The project at the Vall d’Hebron Hospital focused on offering mindfulness group sessions guided by a professional from the center itself, and enhanced with Broomx’s immersive environments. The interest and demand to participate in these sessions grew a lot, and the professional assessment has been very positive.
Content Adapted to the Participants’ Needs
With the collaboration of Doctor Josep Antoni Ramos-Quiroga, head of the department of psychiatry and president of the innovation commission of the Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Eva Aurín, head of innovation and eHealth, and Mercedes Rodríguez, nursing supervisor, work was done in the creation of specific relaxation contents (the Elementia collection, included in the Broomx catalog) that provide a very relaxing environment and help healthcare personnel to escape from their daily worries. During the sessions, guided by Marta Achutegui, a nurse certified in mindfulness instruction from the University of Barcelona, participants can immerse themselves in the ocean, swim with dolphins or dive into a colorful universe of mandalas, accompanied by music created to provide relaxation and well-being.
Content Adapted to the Participants’ Needs
With the collaboration of Doctor Josep Antoni Ramos-Quiroga, head of the department of psychiatry and president of the innovation commission of the Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Eva Aurín, head of innovation and eHealth, and Mercedes Rodríguez, nursing supervisor, work was done in the creation of specific relaxation contents (the Elementia collection, included in the Broomx catalog) that provide a very relaxing environment and help healthcare personnel to escape from their daily worries. During the sessions, guided by Marta Achutegui, a nurse certified in mindfulness instruction from the University of Barcelona, participants can immerse themselves in the ocean, swim with dolphins or dive into a colorful universe of mandalas, accompanied by music created to provide relaxation and well-being.
100% Improvement of Participants’ Mood
“To detect possible disorders and analyze the results of the therapy, we began the session by conducting two surveys with three questions, one at the beginning and another at the end of the sessions. For now, 100% of the people who have tried the experience want to repeat it, ”says Merche Rodríguez, nursing supervisor of the Psychiatry department of the Vall d’Hebron Hospital.
Before starting the session, Merche points out that the participants are asked to define in one word the feeling or emotion that best describes the moment in which they find themselves and 80% respond with “worry”. At the end of the session, the mood improves significantly, and to the same question, 100% of the participants answer that they are “calm and/or relaxed”. More than a hundred professionals participate in these sessions, and data is being collected to carry out an internal study to determine the benefits of these practices.
Future Uses of the Immersive Technology
Since the first evaluations have been very promising, those responsible for the Hospital plan to increase the use of this technology to carry out activities adapted to pediatric and long-stay patients admitted to the hospital. During one of the sessions, a young patient entered the room equipped with Broomx technology. The patient, diagnosed with autism (ASD) and who hardly spoke to anyone during her hospitalization, began to interact with the projection and to describe and explain what she was seeing and feeling. At that moment, a very visually stimulating video of turtles and jellyfish was being played. His communication during the immersive session was a great surprise to all the hospital staff and is a clear indication that immersive vision therapy sessions are tools that can be widely used in multiple areas, such as the treatment of mental health disorders and palliative care for children.
Do not miss the testimonial video below!
Future Uses of the Immersive Technology
Since the first evaluations have been very promising, those responsible for the Hospital plan to increase the use of this technology to carry out activities adapted to pediatric and long-stay patients admitted to the hospital. During one of the sessions, a young patient entered the room equipped with Broomx technology. The patient, diagnosed with autism (ASD) and who hardly spoke to anyone during her hospitalization, began to interact with the projection and to describe and explain what she was seeing and feeling. At that moment, a very visually stimulating video of turtles and jellyfish was being played. His communication during the immersive session was a great surprise to all the hospital staff and is a clear indication that immersive vision therapy sessions are tools that can be widely used in multiple areas, such as the treatment of mental health disorders and palliative care for children.
Do not miss the testimonial video below!
