AppliedVR, a developer of virtual reality (VR) technology for healthcare applications, has announced a partnership with Los Angeles-based Cedars-Sinai Medical Center to implement its VR technology into the hospital's Spine Center, Department of Surgery and Orthopedic Center.

"VR is entering an 'age of utilization' in healthcare, with hospitals and surgery centers seeking new ways to increase patient satisfaction, better manage pain, and reduce hospital stays. This does not require changing the face of healthcare, it merely requires AppliedVR's SaaS model for validated therapeutic VR content, to provide standardized and scalable technology that improves a patient's experience," said Matthew Stoudt, Co-Founder and CEO of AppliedVR.

Cedars-Sinai, after investing in AppliedVR, will be the first to have access to this technology, with the aim to offer patients more easily accessible therapeutic VR content.

"AppliedVR is an extremely valuable option for healthcare providers seeking to enhance the patient experience and positively impact patient outcomes," said Richard B. Jacobs, executive vice president and chief strategy officer at Cedars-Sinai. "With the major shifts in healthcare toward an increased focus on patient experience, AppliedVR is uniquely positioned to succeed."

Pain RelieVR, which immerses the patient in to VR games that divert the patient's focus away from the procedure or recovery process. AppliedVR also offers Guided Relaxation, a VR technology designed to help patients enter a relaxed state by transporting the patient to a peaceful scenic place to relax and manage stress and anxiety.

"Virtual reality is like dreaming with your eyes open," said Brennan M. Spiegel, MD, director of Health Services Research in Academic Affairs and Clinical Transformation at Cedars-Sinai. "I've seen patients and their families cry tears of joy using virtual reality at Cedars-Sinai to reduce pain without medications or drugs. AppliedVR's work is helping us to achieve these compelling results."