Regain’s Virtual Reality Initiative

Regain is delighted to launch an exciting new Virtual Reality initiative and we want you to help! Awards for All has funded Regain to research how Virtual Reality can help foster engagement within communities and enable greater independence for tetraplegics.

Thanks to their generosity, we can purchase several Oculus Quest 2 virtual reality headsets and supporting controllers and now we’re looking for volunteers to help us with our study!

The equipment will be loaned to Tetraplegics affiliated with Regain on a six-month basis with the aim of helping us understand how Virtual Reality can be used to build a sense of belonging and community. For any Tetraplegics interested in taking part, please read on for more information and how you can apply.

Why Virtual Reality?

Lockdown as a result of the Covid pandemic has led to increasing isolation, hitting vulnerable communities the hardest. We think we can change this through Virtual Reality.

Through a VR Oculus headset, users enter an immersive environment, which allows them to interact with others and enjoy new experiences that would otherwise not be available.

Box against Mike Tyson, go on Safari to the Savanna, play games with new friends and ski down the Alps are just some of the exciting activities that are available on the Oculus platform. We’d like to understand if such technology can help Tetraplegics live a more active life.

What games and activities can I access?

You can access a fantastic range of free games through the App store on the Oculus headset, such as riding a virtual roller coaster and kicking back on a Caribbean beach! There are loads more games and services you can try for a fee, but these will come at your own expense.

An Oculus app is available to download onto any smartphone device. You will be able to screen mirror onto the device or a compatible smart TV so that those around you can see what you are seeing through the Oculus Headset.

Do I need any equipment or services in addition to those Regain supplies?

At a minimum, you will need a reliable and fast internet connection with a personal WiFi network, an email account to register and a smartphone to set up the VR headset. It isn’t necessary to have a Facebook account, but it does make the setup easier. Please be aware that costs associated with internet access and a smartphone are the responsibility of the participant.

Criteria

• Level of injury: This study is open for all Tetraplegics who have suffered a spinal injury as a result of a sporting accident. In order to accommodate different levels of injury, we will be offering two packages. For those with good hand function, the standard Oculus and controllers will be supplied. If this is not an option, then we will provide the Oculus headset with suitable adaptive controllers.
• Taking Part: We really want individuals to take part in our study so we ask all of those who receive our equipment to use it regularly and be available to provide feedback. We’d also like to host various online community activities once a week for 4 weeks, followed by an interview and questionnaire, which we ask everyone to participate in.
• Computer Experience: You don’t have to be a computer expert or have any gaming experience to use this equipment and if you can use a mobile phone, then you can use a Virtual Reality headset! But we would like participants to have some confidence in using computing equipment and are willing to learn.
• Level of Assistance: Some of the experiences can leave you feeling queasy or dizzy and if not careful, you may fall out of your chair. We strongly recommend that you have someone initially to help you set up and be around, just in case something goes wrong.
• Users taking part in this project do so at their own risk and should take their own steps to ensure that they keep themselves safe.

How to apply

If you’re interested and want to take part, please complete your details in this short form and we’ll get back to you! Please note that due to a limited number of Oculus headsets being available as part of this project, we cannot guarantee that all who apply will be able to take part.