The Saint-Joseph Hospital in Paris is testing an immersive virtual-reality program in its emergency room, Reuters reports.
The goal of the VR program, created by three graduate students, aims to relax patients and provide pain relief by distracting patients from minor procedures such as getting stitches or having a dislocated shoulder pushed back into place.
The program uses "chunky VR goggles" to transport patients into a three-dimensional landscape depicting Japanese gardens or snowy hillsides, according to Reuters.
"What we offer is a contemplative world where the patient goes on a guided tour, in interactive mode, to play music, do a bit of painting or work out a riddle," said Reda Khouadra, one of the project's developers.