VPB1168 - New Technologies such as Virtual Reality to increase Adherence in Hemophilia Treatment

Background: Throughout the life of people with Hemophilia, there are critical moments such as self-treatment, which involves intravenous administration of medication.

Aims: We have launched a pioneering project in the world of congenital coagulopathies using new technologies such as virtual reality as a training tool for children with congenital coagulopathies to improve the adherence and empowerment of children with those pathologies.

Methods: Since September 2020 until October 2021 we started this project to creat a virtual reality experience in self-treatment including children, aged between 7 and 12 years old with hemophilia in collaboration with Nixi for Children’s, as VR designers, and a a multidisciplinary focus group with hematologist, nurse, Fedhemo´s social workers and psychologist, and families with children with haemophilia at different ages. Objectives are to assess adherence, the .empowerment of children and families with Haemophilia. and quality of life

Results: The script was written by Nixi for Children’s team and reviewed by Fedhemo’s psychologists and families . Production of the VR experience was done mixing 360º real environments and 3D animation. Production of the VR experience was done mixing 360º real environments and 3D animation. Inside the VR experience, Nixi, a 3D animated character, interacts with “Nacho”, a 17 years-old boy with Hemophilia. Nixi and the spectator will travel back in time to discover how "Nacho" administered himself the medication for the first time when he was 8 years old. . In order to assess the effectiveness and psychological aspects , we will perform 3 questionnaires,

Conclusion(s): New technologies such as virtual reality can be an example of how it could improve empowerment in self-treatment on that journey to autonomy in a chronic disease as well as redefine the role of the family in its accompaniment of the journey of people with hemophilia.