Palliative care has a different goal from the rest of medicine. It doesn't seek to cure, it seeks to care: to relieve suffering, preserve dignity, and improve the quality of the days that remain. In that context, every moment of comfort counts.
This is where virtual reality for clinical use finds one of its most human roles, and one research already studies: the library gathers those studies under palliative care.
Escape: being somewhere else
A palliative care patient spends a lot of time in the same space, often with pain, fatigue, or anxiety. Virtual reality offers escape: the chance, for a few minutes, to be on a beach, in a garden, in their homeland, or in a place they always wanted to visit.
It is not running from reality. It is a rest from it. And that rest has value: it can shift focus away from discomfort and make room for calm.
When the body can no longer travel, the mind still can. VR restores that possibility.
Comfort and emotional wellbeing
Beyond escape, VR can support:
- Relaxation: calm scenarios and a gentle pace help lower anxiety.
- Distraction from discomfort: immersion shifts attention away from pain and malaise.
- Meaningful moments: revisiting places of personal and emotional value.
- A sense of control: choosing where to go, at a time in life when so much escapes control.
Family, closer
One of the hardest aspects of end of life is distance from family. RVer includes real-time video call with family: the patient sees and hears their loved ones while sharing the same immersive scenario, even when they are far away. It's a way to keep connection and presence when physical closeness isn't always possible.
Important note: VR for clinical use in palliative care is a complementary, non-pharmacological support for comfort and wellbeing. It is used with short sessions, suitable scenarios, and always under the supervision of the healthcare team, adapted to the patient's condition and wishes. It does not replace clinical care.
The role of RVer
RVer is a virtual reality system for clinical use, a Class I Medical Device (base product) registered in EUDAMED and with INFARMED (Portugal) (MDR 2017/745). It is designed to be simple, comfortable, and respectful: easy for palliative care teams to use, and with no collection of patient clinical data.
At a time when every day is precious, RVer's goal is simple: to help make each one a little more comfortable, calmer, and more connected to those who matter.
Frequently asked questions
How does virtual reality help in palliative care?
VR offers escape and moments of wellbeing: letting the patient visit meaningful places, relax in calm environments, and distract from discomfort. It is used as non-pharmacological comfort support, under the supervision of the palliative care team.
Is VR appropriate for end-of-life patients?
When used with short sessions, calm scenarios, and under the supervision of the healthcare team, VR can bring moments of comfort and connection. Its use is always adapted to the patient's condition and wishes.
Can the family take part?
Yes. RVer includes real-time video call with family, allowing moments of closeness even at a distance: the patient sees and hears their family while sharing the same immersive experience.