10107244VR THERAPY + CLOSE LOOP VAGUS STIMULATIONClosedCollaborative R&DInnovate UKRescape has been deploying immersive therapies to treat patients' pain and anxiety for over 4 years with a class 1 medical device called DR.VR(r) - we have already licenced our solution to over 80 NHS locations. Our project innovation will combine closed-loop Vagus Nerve Stimulation with Virtual Reality therapies to amplify the benefits of both treatments in reducing depression and anxiety in Chronic pain sufferers. As many as 85% of people who suffer from chronic pain also suffer from a mental health condition, this could be as many as 11.5 million people in the UK. Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) has research evidence for efficacy in several mental and medical health issues, such as Depression, Disorders of consciousness, Epilepsy, Cardiovascular Diseases, Digestive system Diseases and Parkinson's disease. It works through the increase of parasympathetic activity (our rest and digest response) which leads to an increased immune response and a reduction of stress and other important body regulation. We believe by using VR in tandem with VNS we can significantly reduce a patient's depression or anxiety -- and even pain in some patients. Chronic pain guidance, in recent years, acknowledges factors other than just physical issues, such as mental health issues and a patient's environment or situation have an impact, this is called the biopsychosocial model. Shockingly an NHS report highlighted that all chronic pain clinics should be supporting this holistic model -- the report found that only 40% of clinics do more than address a patient's physical issues. Both our therapies have shown great promise, and Rescape is excited to collaborate with Mindspire whose patent-pending technology combined with our XR solutions will provide a unique offering. This project will increase the depth of knowledge and advance the learnings for both organisations. Rescape has already partnered with Dr Steffert from Mindspire. We used sensors to take different readings of a patient's body and empowered patients to exert control over the virtual environment, connecting bodies and minds. For example, by slowing their breathing, flowers grew in a meadow they were sitting in. The more their body changed the more flowers grew, giving the patient a unique and innovative feeling of control. The aim of this project is to demonstrate the innovation's viability and usability, working beside patients and staff. This will start a journey to initially create a consumer product and later a medical device capable of helping thousands of patients worldwide.