Rothman will leverage Harvard MedTech's innovative virtual reality platform and program as part of a groundbreaking academic research project.
PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Harvard MedTech, the nation's leading Virtual Reality and Digital Therapeutics company, and Rothman Orthopaedic Institute, a world-leader in the field of orthopedic care, announced a research partnership in which they will leverage Harvard MedTech's innovative virtual reality platform and program (Vx Therapy) as part of a groundbreaking academic research project.
The new collaborative study was launched in late September 2023 and will focus on orthopedic surgery patients and outcomes with specific attention paid to psycho-social determinants of health. The program being studied is a combination of remote cognitive behavioral therapy, applied in a Precision Behavioral Health construct with proprietary, in-home virtual reality sessions and was recently presented at the Congress of Neurological Surgeons as an effective solution in reducing pain and behavioral health conditions in patients with chronic cervical and lumbar pain.
"Addressing underlying psycho-social determinants of health in the surgical window is incredibly difficult and Vx Therapy shows tremendous potential to address this unmet societal need," says Alexander R. Vaccaro, MD, PhD, MBA, President of Rothman Orthopaedic Institute, Richard H. Rothman Professor and Chairman of the Department of Orthopaedics, and Professor of Neurosurgery at Thomas Jefferson University and Hospitals. "It will not exclude patients with underlying and/or concurrent depression and anxiety which has been clearly shown to create deleterious outcomes from a surgical standpoint."
"We are excited to learn how technology can help the way we manage pain in surgical and non-surgical patients," says Jose A. Canseco, MD, PhD, the study's principal investigator, who also serves as Assistant Professor of Orthopedic and Spine Surgery at Thomas Jefferson University and Vice Chair of Research for Rothman Orthopaedics. "This study provides a comprehensive analysis of patient response to this non-pharmacological and non-interventional option to provide treatment for pain as well as provide support for the psycho-social determinants of health that are so difficult to identify and address."
A first of its kind, this has the potential to provide a new tool for surgeons to address unmet patient needs and create better outcomes and a better patient experience. This study will evaluate the effectiveness of Vx Therapy when used in conjunction with a variety of surgical procedures.
"Vx Therapy is the first digital therapeutic platform to address not only symptoms of pain and trauma, but to address patients holistically," states Gerry Stanley, M.D., P-CEO, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of Harvard MedTech. "Traditional models of healthcare have focused on a bio-medical model of healthcare while Vx Therapy and this study are designed to utilize a bio-psycho-social model of healthcare, in a patient's home, to promote recovery and resiliency."
For Rothman Orthopaedics, research is one of the pillars of which the practice has built its long-standing success. Rothman's world-class, award-winning spine team continues to lead the international spine community through its extensive academic involvement in numerous societies, and participating in the leadership of national organizations, including the AAOS, CSRS, NASS, LSRS, and the AO Foundation. Rothman has participated in ground-breaking research and clinical trials with the goal of advancing knowledge, developing treatments and improving outcomes for the benefit of patients. Their physicians treat problems resulting from degeneration of the cervical and lumbar discs, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, spinal deformity, tumors, trauma and instability.
For more information on Rothman Orthopaedics and their research program, please visit RothmanOrtho.com.
About Harvard MedTech
Harvard MedTech is an innovative digital health company that applies current science on how the brain works with specially designed virtual reality experiences, psychosocial support, and digital engagement. Vx® Therapy is the first modality to comprehensively integrate this unique combination of digital technologies with precision behavioral health interventions, delivered through virtual reality in the patient's home. This virtual engagement drives high compliance, patient satisfaction, and optimal outcomes. Vx® Therapy is also affordable and scalable at a population health level. This non-invasive and non-pharmacological approach also provides data that is trackable for a clear assessment of its value to patients and healthcare providers. Visit www.harvardmedtech.com for more information.
About Rothman Orthopaedic Institute
Rothman Orthopaedic Institute is the largest musculoskeletal practice in the United States according to Becker's Review. A world leader in the field of orthopedics, Rothman Orthopaedics partners with health systems, hospitals and physicians to build enduring musculoskeletal systems of care in communities that are high-quality, compassionate, affordable and grounded in evidence-based medicine. Rothman Orthopaedic Institute orthopedists treat patients in 37 locations and has surgical privileges at 71 facilities in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and Florida. With experts in nine orthopedic sub-specialties including spine, hip & knee, foot & ankle, shoulder & elbow, hand & wrist, sports medicine, physical medicine & rehabilitation, orthopedic oncology and trauma, Rothman Orthopaedics is recognized for excellence in clinical treatment methods, research, education and technology. Consistently recognized as national and regional "Top Docs," Rothman Orthopaedics is proud to be the official team physicians for the Philadelphia Eagles, Phillies, the Orlando Magic, The Big EAST Conference, as well as over 60 college and high school teams. For more information about Rothman Orthopaedic Institute, please visit www.RothmanOrtho.com.
Media Contact
Alexandria Hammond, Rothman Orthopaedic Institute, 1 2673531667, [email protected], Rothman Orthopaedic Institute
[email protected], Harvard MedTech
SOURCE Rothman Orthopaedic Institute
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