Smileyscope Holding Inc (Smileyscope™) is a global pioneer in virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) digital therapeutics. The company merges evidence-based medicine with state-of-the-art technology, creating ground-breaking digital treatments that help patients manage pain, anxiety, and mental health.
Smileyscope is proud to announce its UK launch in partnership with Thinking of Oscar, an Oxford based , UK charity committed to ‘bringing the future of healthcare to children’. Smileyscope’s therapeutic VR suite includes clinically-tested content designed to reduce needle pain and anxiety for children and adults alike.
75% of children and 15% of adults report a fear of needle-based procedures (1). For children, traumatic needle experiences can have a profound impact and can lead to a lifetime of healthcare avoidance and fear. Researchers from the University of Oxford found that needle fear is a core reason for vaccine hesitancy (2).
“We are thrilled to be partnering with Thinking of Oscar to launch Smileyscope in the UK. We share a mission to bring new innovations to healthcare and deliver improved outcomes for patients,” said Dr Evelyn Chan, MBBS (Hons), MSc, MPH, CEO of Smileyscope.
Smileyscope’s flagship VR experience takes the shape of an undersea adventure, employing Smileyscope’s patented Procedural Choreography. Patients see waves washing over their arm as antiseptic is applied, and fish nibble at the injection site as the needle is inserted. This reduced pain by 60% pain and anxiety by 40% in large paediatric randomized controlled trials (2)
Patients and carers report this unique, synchronized approach is extraordinarily effective for a wide range of medical procedures from the Emergency Department to Radiology, to Oncology. 12-year-old Kai, who has cystic fibrosis, suffered anxiety in the lead up to blood tests, and often needed to be restrained. But with the VR headset on, Kai was able to relax. “This was like nothing else I’ve seen,” Kai’s mother said. “He even said the pain wasn’t as bad.”
Thinking of Oscar believes Smileyscope has the potential to significantly improve healthcare experiences for children in the UK and is intending to introduce Smileyscope to several hospitals, starting with the Oxford Children's Hospital, part of the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Co-Founder of Thinking of Oscar, David Cole stated “As soon as we were made aware of Smileyscope’s potential impact, we were eager to work to bring it to children in the UK. We have experienced first-hand the trauma that children face when having to have blood tests or cannulations in hospital, and anything that can help to distract a child or ease anxiety for everyone concerned, child, parent or caregiver is a gamechanger. We are so thrilled to be working with Smileyscope. Having now delivered a headset to the Oxford Children’s Hospital, many of the specialist children’s departments are really excited about using it with their patients.”
Smileyscope is the only healthcare compatible VR technology built from the ground up for healthcare professionals. Smileyscope recently received approval from the UK Medicines and Health products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Smileyscope is launching in the UK and available for purchase by hospitals, medical and immunization centers. To learn more, contact Smileyscope at www.smileyscope.com.
