VR driving games tested to ease anxiety in heart patients

This study tested whether adding virtual reality (VR) driving games to standard heart rehabilitation could help patients feel better emotionally and move their arms more easily. Sixty adults recovering from heart surgery were randomly assigned to either do their usual rehab exercises or to replace some sessions with a 20-minute VR driving simulation. Researchers measured changes in anxiety, depression, and shoulder and elbow movement to see if the VR experience provided extra benefits.