“Virtual reality helps children with hemophilia understand their disease through play”

One of the most notable projects was implemented within the framework of the LXVI National Congress of the Spanish Association of Hematology and Hemotherapy (SEHH) and the XL Congress of the Spanish Society of Thrombosis and Hemostasis (SETH), held in Palma from October 24 to 26. This was Hemoverso: learning about hemophilia through immersive virtual reality, a collaboration between the Son Espases University Hospital and Roche Farma Spain. This 3D game, designed for children aged 8 to 12 years with hemophilia, allows them to explore their disease through an interactive experience in which they observe and act on a simulation of internal bleeding, a common manifestation of this disorder.

In conjunction with the “Get Closer to Hematology” campaign, which included the installation of an information tent in the Parc de ses Estacions, Dr. Mariana Canaro gave a talk on “Living with Hemophilia” and took part in the official presentation of Hemoverso, a progress that promises to improve understanding and participation in the treatment of this disease among younger patients.

What is hemophilia?

This is a congenital hereditary disease, although in some cases it can be sporadic, with isolated mutations. In hemophilia, there is a deficiency, depending on the type, of factor VIII or factor IX, which are very important clotting factors for proper blood clotting. It is considered a rare disease.

How many people does this disease affect?

About one in every 5,000 newborns has hemophilia A and one in every 15,000 has hemophilia B. Hemophilia A is deficient in factor VIII, and hemophilia B is deficient in factor IX.

How is this discovered?

In most cases, by the time of birth, changes in coagulation tests are already detected, and in some cases, children are born with minor bleeding. Hemophilia is a chronic disease and, once diagnosed, requires lifelong treatment.

What role might new technologies play in the future of disease?

Virtual reality can help children a lot. This project arose with the goal of explaining to children what their illness is; What happens when they bleed and how treatment helps prevent or stop it. Everything happens through an interactive game with virtual reality glasses, in which they interact with the symptoms of hemophilia.

Hemophilia A is characterized by a deficiency of factor VIII, which affects one in every 5,000 newborns.

Mariana Canaro

— Hematologist at Son Espas University Hospital

How was the collaboration between Son Espases Hospital and Roche Farma in this project?

In the Department of Coagulopathies, together with Dr. Bernat Galmes, we had an idea and developed a scenario that we presented to Roche and also began a collaboration to be able to develop it. This was a collaboration where we were allowed to hire a developer because the graphics and design required technical skills that we couldn’t cover.

Can we say they developed a video game?

Yes, we worked on the game script and later the experience was developed to be integrated into virtual reality headsets so that children could experience it.

And what did the children think?

We were in the diffuse tent of the conference, many children came, even from different institutions, and many were amazed. Our idea is to use it in hospital consultations so that children with hemophilia can learn through play what is happening to their body.

How does this disease affect the patient’s daily life?

The most common clinical manifestation of hemophilia is bleeding, especially intra-articular bleeding in the ankles, knees and elbows. After a few bleeds into the joint, permanent damage usually occurs. Thanks to treatment, people with hemophilia now have a life expectancy equivalent to that of people without hemophilia. This was the revolution of recent years.

Can we say that children with hemophilia can develop normally?

They must have it. Although we cannot forget that in three quarters of the world, many patients do not have access to these treatments. In Spain, people with hemophilia are very lucky indeed.

Can affected children lead a lifestyle equivalent to that of their peers?

Yes, although with precautions. They can play football in the yard, do physical education and other activities. Although we do not recommend contact sports. We always try to adapt the treatment to your activity. If they follow the treatment correctly, they can lead a completely normal life, which was unthinkable 15 years ago.