14 Jul 2022

Virtual reality used to help cure phobias!

From Afternoons, 1:15 pm on 14 July 2022

A local company has been recognised for their innovative way of using virtual reality to overcome fears and anxieties. It's called oVRcome, and the founders were recently awarded an Innovation & Growth award at the Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum in Sydney.

The system underwent trials at the University of Otago, where participants experienced a 75 percent reduction in phobia symptoms after using the programme for six weeks. The company's founder Adam Hutchinson talks to Jesse about their invention.

oVRcome founder Adam Hutchinson and University of Otago Associate Professor Cameron Lacey.

oVRcome founder Adam Hutchinson and University of Otago Associate Professor Cameron Lacey. Photo: