Veterans at Indianapolis VA thrive with virtual reality group sessions

In a new video, VA Whole Health Coach Amanda Swinea and Veterans Darnell Zanders, Linda Toran, Shannon Lightfoot and Dennis Wagner at Indianapolis VA share their experiences with virtual reality (VR) group sessions.

Swinea has been conducting group sessions with Veterans for wellness and pain using immersive technology since 2022. During these sessions, Veterans gear up in headsets and gather in a circle, either seated or standing, and engage with VR for pain management, mental health benefits and mindfulness practices.

The power of VR group sessions is in the connection it brings to the Veterans. “It’s so much more impactful with people who are like them. They can see they’re not the only ones who are experiencing isolation, depression or hopelessness,” Swinea said.

Individual mindfulness and group connection

Within new virtual environments, Veterans are positively distracted from their everyday struggles and can practice mindfulness and enjoy physical activity.

Army Veteran Dennis Wagner regularly participates in VR group sessions where he sees the individual benefits of VR as well as the benefits of being surrounded by a community of peers. “I enjoy the pain level and the depression kind of going away,” he shared.

Wagner began participating in VR sessions after his wife died. Having trouble coping with the outside world, he says that immersive technology helped him return to normal life. “It got me out of the house. I have a purpose of getting out and bettering myself,” he said.

In addition to better connecting with himself, Wagner has been able to gain new Veteran friends after moving to a new place. “The Veterans—no matter if it’s Navy, Marine, Air Force, Army, Coast Guard—they all help one another, and we share information. I have friends now and they come over to the house, help me with shopping, cooking and we play cards,” he said.

Swinea emphasizes that VR can be an incredible tool for Veterans who struggle with being present. “It’s a way to connect back to other people, a way to connect back to themselves.” For those who battle chronic pain and mental health challenges every day, VR can be life-changing,” Swinea said.

This is true of Navy Veteran Linda Toran. She had tried everything to manage her pain and mental health, from medications to physical therapy. “This was just so different,” Toran said Toran’s of the transformative experience. She would recommend it to fellow Veterans experiencing similar situations.

Endless opportunities with virtual reality

Army Veteran Darnell Zanders used to enjoy playing golf. Now, thanks to VR, he can reconnect with the sport he loves. “I experience the same emotions, the same tiredness as when I walked the golf course. It’s a real-life experience in virtual reality,” he explained. With VR group sessions, Zanders has also seen improvements in his depression.

VR group sessions provide safe and engaging ways for Veterans to exercise. For Army Veteran Shannon Lightfoot, the physical activity she got from VR sessions greatly boosted her mental health. “You feel good about yourself because you worked up a sweat. You’re not focusing on pain or on your problems,” she said.

VA has deployed over 3,500 virtual reality (VR) headsets across more than 170 VA medical centers and outpatient clinics in all 50 U.S. states, Puerto Rico, Guam and American Samoa with over 40 documented use cases and over 10,000 Veteran experiences to date.

To learn more, visit the VA Immersive website and check out the YouTube playlist.