Transforming stroke rehabilitation with VR technology
Neurotechnology company Reneural is at the forefront of digital health, forging a path for virtual reality (VR) to redefine stroke rehabilitation. In an interview conducted by NR Times editor Stephanie Price, co-founder Heraldas Gaspariunas and CEO Victor Harabari share how VR is moving from concept to clinically integrated care, with strong backing from the NHS England New Hospital Programme.
An NHS-backed move into home-based rehabilitation
In early 2025, Reneural was selected for funding under the NHS England New Hospital Programme, which aims to deliver 40 new hospitals by 2030. The grant supports a VR-based platform designed to enhance upper-limb recovery while expanding access to therapy beyond hospital walls. The initiative is being developed in collaboration with The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Brunel University London, reflecting a strong partnership between clinical care, research, and patient needs.
Why VR for stroke care?
VR offers immersive, gamified environments that engage patients in repetitive, task-oriented exercises—an essential driver of recovery after a stroke. Reneural’s platform adds a clinician dashboard for remote monitoring and personalised therapy planning, enabling therapists to tailor sessions to individual needs and track progress over time. The overarching goal is to align rehabilitation with established guidelines—three hours of therapy, five days a week, during the six-month “golden window” post-stroke—while making care more accessible to patients at home.
The technology and its ecosystem
Reneural’s platform centers on immersive VR therapy for upper-limb rehabilitation, with plans to build an ecosystem of devices that supports both hospital and home use. The system is designed to integrate EMG (electromyography) and functional electrical stimulation (FES) loops for muscle activation, alongside assistive robotics such as exercise bikes for lower-limb rehab. The two founders emphasize a pragmatic approach: start with hospital-based workflows that clinicians already know, then extend into a home setting with a tablet interface that mirrors what patients see in the clinic.
Gamification and patient engagement
A key driver of adherence is making therapy engaging. Reneural has evolved from realistic VR environments—such as a virtual kitchen where patients can perform daily tasks—to gamified experiences that encourage continued participation. Harabari notes that game design techniques help transform tedious exercises into enjoyable activities, while also enabling automated data capture to monitor progress and adjust therapy in real time.
Clinical validation and real-world use
Development has spanned two years, with early testing at Brunel University and Hillingdon Hospital. A recent publication highlighted a prototype using closed-loop EMG and FES, underscoring the platform’s potential to deliver precise, responsive therapy. Usability studies at Brunel, Hillingdon, and other NHS trusts have focused on making the system accessible for older patients, ensuring that interfaces are intuitive and safe for home use.
Home-based care and outcomes
Clinical observations indicate that patients recovering at home can achieve outcomes comparable to, or better than, hospital-based rehab when therapy is consistent and well-guided. Reneural’s home web platform enables clinicians to prescribe exercises remotely, monitor time spent in VR, and adjust programs as needed. This continuous contact reduces unnecessary hospital visits, supports higher repetition—an established predictor of recovery—and keeps patients motivated in their own environments.
Looking ahead: scaling, impact, and partnerships
The founders see a clear pathway to broad adoption across the UK, contingent on procurement processes and NHS uptake. They are also exploring the platform’s applicability to other rehabilitation needs, including Parkinson’s disease, and a broader ecosystem that further reduces staff workload and carbon footprints by enabling home-delivered therapy. The NHS partnership with the New Hospital Programme signals strong intent to bring innovative rehab technologies to scale, with patient access and clinician support at the core.
Conclusion
Reneural’s VR-based stroke rehabilitation platform embodies a forward-looking fusion of neurotechnology, clinical care, and patient empowerment. By delivering engaging, adjustable therapy in hospital and at home—and by linking clinicians and patients through a robust dashboard—the project seeks to optimize upper-limb recovery within the critical six-month window and beyond, potentially reshaping how stroke rehab is delivered nationwide.
