University of Queensland Virtual Reality Program Advances Fall Recovery Training for Wheelchair Users
University of Queensland and NIISQ Virtual Reality Program Helps Wheelchair Users Practise Safe Fall Recovery
Synopsis
- The University of Queensland and NIISQ are co-designing a virtual reality rehabilitation program with wheelchair users and clinicians.
- The initiative allows individuals with spinal cord injury to practise fall recovery and real-world mobility safely without physical risk.
- Clinical trials and pilot testing at Princess Alexandra Hospital will assess the program’s effectiveness in improving recovery outcomes.
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The Crisafulli Government is investing in targeted rehabilitation research using virtual reality technology to help wheelchair users practise safe fall recovery and navigate everyday environments without exposure to real-world injury risks. According to reporting published by Mirage.News based on an official public release, the initiative is designed to improve recovery outcomes, independence, and long-term wellbeing for people living with severe injuries, including spinal cord injury (SCI).
The University of Queensland and the National Injury Insurance Scheme, Queensland (NIISQ), are co-designing the virtual reality rehabilitation program alongside wheelchair users and frontline clinicians. This collaborative development model ensures the system reflects the practical needs of both patients and healthcare providers, with a focus on enabling individuals to practise difficult and potentially dangerous mobility scenarios safely within controlled virtual environments.
The project is currently in development and will undergo clinical trials conducted by Metro South Health. The Metro South Hospital and Health Service is providing clinicians, trial space, and pilot participants, subject to ethics approval. From mid-2027, the researchers plan to pilot the program in the inpatient spinal rehabilitation service at Princess Alexandra Hospital with an initial group of 10 participants. The trial phase will evaluate how effectively the virtual reality system supports rehabilitation and recovery in real-world clinical settings.
NIISQ is funding the initiative as part of its commitment to supporting individuals who have sustained serious injuries in catastrophic incidents, including motor vehicle accidents. The program’s goal is to improve recovery trajectories, enhance independence, and strengthen long-term health outcomes by providing safer rehabilitation pathways.
Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training Ros Bates said the initiative reflects the government’s focus on advancing healthcare recovery through research-driven innovation.
“This is investing in cutting-edge research which aims to deliver real world improvements in recovery by giving people the opportunity to practise challenging situations safely and rebuild their confidence following injury,” Minister Bates said.
“Through NIISQ, the Crisafulli Government is backing programs which strengthen health outcomes and help Queenslanders live safely and confidently in their communities.”
NIISQ Acting Chief Executive Officer Gaenor Walker emphasised the potential of virtual reality to support rehabilitation and improve recovery outcomes.
“This project has the potential to make a real difference in improving outcomes for participants and fostering collaborative practices,” Ms Walker said.
University of Queensland lead researcher Dr Kathryn Marshall said the collaborative design approach is essential to developing practical rehabilitation solutions.
“Through working collaboratively with clinicians and people with SCI, we aim to develop a program that is both impactful and practical for real-world use,” Dr Marshall said.
Metro South Health Chief Executive Noelle Cridland said the organisation is proud to support the research and provide a clinical environment for testing and evaluation.
“Research is an integral part of improving health and wellbeing for people in our community, and we are thrilled to support clinicians and patients to be involved in this innovative initiative,” Ms Cridland said.
The virtual reality rehabilitation program represents a structured research effort aimed at strengthening recovery support services and delivering safer, evidence-based rehabilitation tools for individuals living with spinal cord injuries. According to Mirage.News, the project remains under development as researchers and clinicians prepare for clinical testing and pilot implementation within Queensland’s spinal rehabilitation system.
Source: Mirage.News – Have a Story? Address it to the Editor and submit it here
About University of Queensland
The University of Queensland is a research institution involved in developing rehabilitation solutions in collaboration with healthcare providers, clinicians, and government-supported insurance programs. In this project, the university is working with the National Injury Insurance Scheme, Queensland, to co-design a virtual reality rehabilitation program with wheelchair users and frontline clinicians. The initiative focuses on enabling people with spinal cord injury to practise fall recovery and mobility safely within simulated environments. The research will undergo clinical trials conducted by Metro South Health, with pilot testing planned in the inpatient spinal rehabilitation service at Princess Alexandra Hospital. Through this collaboration, the University of Queensland contributes to targeted rehabilitation research designed to improve recovery, independence, and long-term outcomes for individuals seriously injured in catastrophic incidents, including motor vehicle accidents.
Featured image Source: Enabling Devices
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