Exploring Patient Perspectives on an Immersive Virtual Reality Experience for Neuromuscular Diseases

Immersive virtual reality (VR) has emerged as a promising application for neurological conditions in hospital care. This study explores the experiences of patients with neuromuscular diseases using a virtual supermarket to entertain patients in a real-life task. Twelve patients from the NeuroMuscular Omnicentre in Milan were interviewed to evaluate their impressions after interacting in a fully immersive virtual environment. Questions were related to first impressions, positive and negative aspects, willingness to use the application again, suggestions for improvement of the game, and general reflections; a thematic analysis of the replies' content was performed. The main topics identified were engagement, technological features, sensory experience, usefulness, improvement, and recommendation. The results indicate that the VR experience was generally well received, with participants describing it as enjoyable, immersive, and relaxing. Some expressed curiosity about this new technology, while others appreciated the feeling of immersion and distraction from their condition. However, minor annoyances were reported, such as the headset's weight and the need for an enhanced interaction. Suggestions included improving interaction, fine-tuning visual and auditory elements, and optimizing comfort. Overall, the study highlights the potential of immersive VR as a valuable tool in hospital care to provide enjoyable moments for neuromuscular patients. Further studies could expand the sample size and explore how different sociodemographic variables impact user experience. Longitudinal studies might also assess the sustained effects of VR interventions on patients' well-being, mood, and overall quality of life during extended hospital stays.