Therapy Techniques
NeuronsVR programs are built on established, evidence-based therapy techniques and adapted for delivery through VR. Here's the clinical rationale behind every approach.
—— Technique 01
Reminiscence, Cultural Connection and Group Social Engagement
Reminiscence therapy uses past experiences such as places, sounds, and events to support memory recall, identity, and emotional wellbeing. It is one of the most widely studied non-pharmacological approaches in dementia care, with evidence for reducing agitation, improving mood, and encouraging social interaction.
How It Works in Practice
Staff select a destination relevant to a resident’s background, whether that’s a coastal town, a country they emigrated from, or a familiar rural setting. The experience becomes a starting point for conversation and storytelling. A resident who grew up in regional Italy revisits the places of their childhood. First nations resident revisiting places of cultural significance.
Run in a group, a shared experience gives residents something to talk about together rather than sitting passively, and gives families something to do on a visit other than sit in silence.
—— Technique 02
Multisensory Stimulation
Multisensory stimulation engages sight, sound, touch and smell to support calm, reduce distress and encourage engagement in people with cognitive or sensory impairment. It draws on the principles of Snoezelen and sensory modulation, with evidence for reducing BPSD and improving quality of life in dementia care.
How It Works in Practice
NeuronsVR pairs visual and auditory content with physical sensory elements set up by care staff. A beach scene runs alongside a bowl of warm water at the resident’s feet and a tray of sand and seashells on the table. A garden experience is paired with fresh flowers. The VR content provides the visual and auditory base while staff add touch and smell, turning a screen-based session into something residents experience with their whole body.
—— Technique 03
Movement & Physical Therapy
Maintaining physical movement is critical for fall prevention, functional independence and overall wellbeing in residential aged care. The challenge is motivation. Combining movement with visual stimulation improves participation, extends exercise duration and reduces resistance to physical therapy sessions.
How It Works in Practice
A pair of hiking sticks turns an alpine walking scene into a full-body activity. Physio pedals at a resident’s feet, paired with a mountain tour program, produce ten minutes of cycling that residents ask to repeat; because they want to reach the view at the top, not because they’ve been told to exercise.
Staff pair the content with prescribed exercises from the facility’s physiotherapist or OT, using the visual engagement as a distraction that reduces perceived effort and extends how long residents stay active.
—— Technique 04
De-escalation and Emotional Regulation
Behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia including agitation, anxiety, aggression and emotional distress, are among the most difficult challenges in residential aged care. Non-pharmacological de-escalation techniques are recommended as first-line approaches before medication.
The same calming mechanism applies to procedural pain and sleep disturbance: redirecting attention and reducing arousal works across a range of clinical situations.
How It Works in Practice
When a resident is escalating, staff can start a session in under a minute with no internet required. The content redirects attention, lowers sensory overload and provides a predictable, soothing input. After a session, care teams consistently observe three things: the resident grounds back into the room noticeably calmer; then comes an “I remember” moment, with residents beginning to tell stories their care team has often never heard; and finally a release of laughter, or happy tears. That changed state lasts for two to three hours.
The same programs are used proactively: scheduled during known high-anxiety periods, as a calming intervention at 3 AM for a sleepless resident, or running alongside wound care and dressing changes to reduce procedural pain.
Want To See These Techniques in Action?
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