The National Centre for Research and Development

  Project title

Theraply VR – development of an innovative personalized method of therapy for children with special educational needs using virtual reality technology supporting the work of therapists and parents

  Name of Beneficiary/Beneficiaries

Unicorn VR World Sp. z o.o.

  Name of programme

Operational Program “Smart Growth”

  Competition

BRIdge Alfa

  Project value

PLN 1,150,000.00

  Funding value

PLN 920,000.00

  Project delivery period

01.12.2022 – 30.11.2023

Results of our work

Issues addressed

Theraply VR is an innovative combination of therapy and play, using virtual reality (VR) technology to support children with special educational needs. Our project has created an engaging interactive platform that not only effectively supports therapy, but also makes children more willing to participate in it.

Thanks to virtual reality technology we can develop engaging therapeutic games that educate and entertain. Children love the virtual world which makes them more proactive and engaged in therapy, and this leads to better results.

Theraply VR focuses on an individual approach. Our platform enables children to actively participate in sessions, make decisions and adjust the pace of therapy to their own needs. Thanks to this, children learn in a way tailored to their abilities, building self-confidence and self-esteem.

We have also solved the problem of the lack of a safe space for therapy. VR allows to create an individually tailored refuge where children feel safe and in control of their surroundings. This is crucial for children with emotional disorders or trauma who may feel uncomfortable in conventional settings. The virtual space gives them a sense of control, which is important for effective therapy.

We have also eliminated the problem of limited availability of therapy. The ability to conduct live and remote sessions makes Theraply VR flexible. Therapists can monitor children’s progress, add exercises and provide support regardless of the child’s location, making therapy more accessible and effective.

Theraply VR is an innovative solution that responds to key challenges in the therapy of children with special educational needs. By involving children, creating a safe space, individual approach, flexibility and time savings, our platform revolutionizes therapy and brings benefits to both children and therapists.

Project beneficiaries

Theraply VR is a tool that benefits everyone involved in the therapeutic and educational support of children with special needs: from the children themselves, through parents, therapists, to educational institutions. Our project revolutionizes the approach to therapy, making it more engaging, effective and accessible to everyone.

1. Children with special educational needs can develop their basic personal and social skills here. They are more engaged in therapy, which leads to better results.
2. Parents and guardians can follow their children’s development and actively participate in the therapeutic process.
3. Therapists and educators use a convenient and flexible tool that facilitates therapy.
4. Educational and therapeutic facilities can offer more modern and effective methods of working with children, thus standing out on the market. The use of Theraply VR translates into better educational and therapeutic results, as well as a positive image of the facility.

Major implementation challenges

The implementation of the Theraply VR project encountered many challenges. One of the key demands was the need for thoughtful and detailed planning of all stages of the project. A lot of work went into developing a VR application tailored to the therapeutic needs of children with special educational needs, which required cooperation with experts from various fields. Another challenge was the personalization of therapy, which required advanced algorithms monitoring the child’s progress in real time.

Keeping children engaged in therapy by creating engaging and educational mini-games was also difficult. Integrating VR with conventional therapy methods, ensuring acceptance and appropriate training for therapists and parents were other challenges we had to overcome.

Determination, cooperation and an innovative approach allowed us to create a tool that, as our research results have shown, effectively and significantly accelerates the progress of children with special educational needs.

Our advice to other applicants

Invest in understanding end-user needs and collaborate with experts in various fields. Create solutions that are both innovative and practical. Provide training and support for users to maximize the potential of the technology. Be flexible and open to feedback and, above all, do not let yourself be discouraged by difficulties. Perseverance and cooperation are the key to success.