Presenter(s)
ellie barker, Sophia Young, Natalia Miller, and Lindsay Bergan
Abstract
Virtual Reality (VR) is an electronic recreation of reality, depicting environments, and enabling clients to interact with instantaneous simulations that provide an immersive experience (Guttentag, 2010; McGovern, 1994). Adopting VR as an intervention could be a breakthrough innovation to overcome obstacles while connecting with clients. Current research on VR used in Recreational Therapy (RT) holds inconsistencies in its findings, specifically across various populations and VR tools. The purpose of this study was to gain insights from professionals about the therapeutic relationship between clients and therapists when using VR as an intervention. This study examined how the relationship between the therapist and client is impacted by using VR in programming, using two research questions:
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How has the use of VR in RT affected the relationship between the client and recreational therapist?
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What factors contribute to VR strengthening or weakening the therapeutic relationship in TR practice?
This study used secondary data from a cross-sectional survey. Participants, Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists (CTRSs), were originally recruited through an e-Blast distributed by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC). After Institutional Review Board approval and approval from NCTRC, the Qualtrics survey was distributed via an email link in June 2025. Data collection ended on August 6, 2025. To be eligible for the survey, participants must have been currently or previously employed in RT, 18 years of age or older.
After data cleaning, 277 valid responses were kept out of the 375 total responses. The majority of respondents worked in therapeutic recreation (93%), had a mean age of 44 years, were female (85%), and had been CTRSs for an average of 16 years. Most respondents had not used VR for clients (73%), however 56% of respondents had considered using it.
VR demonstrates considerable potential as an innovative modality for enhancing mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing within recreation therapy. Data from practitioners suggests improvements in therapeutic rapport, trust, and communication, alongside beneficial impacts on client mood, engagement, and physical activity. However, widespread adoption is constrained by barriers including cost, limited expertise, and adverse effects like nausea, anxiety, and dizziness. Addressing these implementation challenges through targeted strategies could enhance accessibility and clinical utility.
College
College of Nursing & Health Sciences
Department
Nursing
Campus
Winona
First Advisor/Mentor
Damien Cavanaugh
Second Advisor/Mentor
Hyunseo Yoon
Third Advisor/Mentor
Begum Aybar-Damali
Location
Kryzsko Great River Ballroom, Winona, Minnesota; United States
Start Date
4-23-2026 10:00 AM
End Date
4-23-2026 11:00 AM
Presentation Type
Poster Session
Format of Presentation or Performance
In-Person
Session
1b=10am-11am
Poster Number
82
Exploring How Virtual Reality Affects The Client-Recreational Therapist Relationship
Kryzsko Great River Ballroom, Winona, Minnesota; United States
Virtual Reality (VR) is an electronic recreation of reality, depicting environments, and enabling clients to interact with instantaneous simulations that provide an immersive experience (Guttentag, 2010; McGovern, 1994). Adopting VR as an intervention could be a breakthrough innovation to overcome obstacles while connecting with clients. Current research on VR used in Recreational Therapy (RT) holds inconsistencies in its findings, specifically across various populations and VR tools. The purpose of this study was to gain insights from professionals about the therapeutic relationship between clients and therapists when using VR as an intervention. This study examined how the relationship between the therapist and client is impacted by using VR in programming, using two research questions:
-
How has the use of VR in RT affected the relationship between the client and recreational therapist?
-
What factors contribute to VR strengthening or weakening the therapeutic relationship in TR practice?
This study used secondary data from a cross-sectional survey. Participants, Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists (CTRSs), were originally recruited through an e-Blast distributed by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC). After Institutional Review Board approval and approval from NCTRC, the Qualtrics survey was distributed via an email link in June 2025. Data collection ended on August 6, 2025. To be eligible for the survey, participants must have been currently or previously employed in RT, 18 years of age or older.
After data cleaning, 277 valid responses were kept out of the 375 total responses. The majority of respondents worked in therapeutic recreation (93%), had a mean age of 44 years, were female (85%), and had been CTRSs for an average of 16 years. Most respondents had not used VR for clients (73%), however 56% of respondents had considered using it.
VR demonstrates considerable potential as an innovative modality for enhancing mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing within recreation therapy. Data from practitioners suggests improvements in therapeutic rapport, trust, and communication, alongside beneficial impacts on client mood, engagement, and physical activity. However, widespread adoption is constrained by barriers including cost, limited expertise, and adverse effects like nausea, anxiety, and dizziness. Addressing these implementation challenges through targeted strategies could enhance accessibility and clinical utility.
