SPATIAL SOLUTIONS FOR THE PLACEMENT OF VR/AR INSTALLATIONS IN REHABILITATION CENTERS FOR MILITARY PERSONNEL
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32782/2415-8151.2025.38.1.22Keywords:
rehabilitation centers, environmental design, spatial solutions, virtual reality, VR/AR technologies, physical rehabilitation, psychological rehabilitation, military personnel, inclusivity, ergonomics, interactive technologiesAbstract
The full-scale war in Ukraine has highlighted the urgent need to create modern rehabilitation spaces for military personnel who have sustained physical and psycho- emotional injuries. The article focuses on the analysis of spatial solutions and VR/AR systems that can be integrated into the design of rehabilitation facilities to enhance the effectiveness of therapeutic processes. Purpose. The purpose of the study is to analyze modern AR/VR technologies used in the rehabilitation of military personnel in order to define spatial requirements for their integration into the interiors of rehabilitation centers and to formulate recommendations for improving the effectiveness of interactive technologies in the design of such facilities. Methodology. The study employs a comprehensive approach that includes the analysis of scientific sources addressing the design of rehabilitation environments and the integration of VR/AR technologies, the study of practices in Ukrainian and international rehabilitation centers, and a comparative analysis of the functional capabilities of VR systems. The results. Modern VR systems used in the physical and psychological rehabilitation of military personnel were analyzed, including Meta Quest systems and Motek Medical installations. Recommendations are proposed for the spatial organization of VR zones with consideration of safety, ergonomics, inclusivity, and adaptability. Design principles are identified to support the effective implementation of AR/ VR technologies in rehabilitation environments. Scientific novelty. The study presents a comprehensive analysis of the impact of AR/VR technologies on spatial design solutions in rehabilitation centers for military personnel. Practical recommendations have been developed for architects and designers on integrating AR/VR tools into interior design within the context of military rehabilitation. Practical relevance. The research findings can be used by architects, interior designers, and rehabilitation specialists to optimize the design of rehabilitation centers integrating AR/VR technologies. The proposed recommendations will contribute to creating adaptive spaces that enhance rehabilitation efficiency and improve the psycho-emotional state of military patients.
References
Bismak, O.V. (2015). Osoblyvosti orhanizatsii diialnosti reabilitatsiinykh zakladiv v Ukraini [Features of the organization of rehabilitation institutions in Ukraine]. Osvitolohichnyi dyskurs, 4(12), 2–12 [in Ukrainian].
Baratiuk, A.Yu. (2025). Perspektyvy vykorystannia tekhnolohii virtualnoi realnosti u psykholohichnii reabilitatsii viiskovosluzhbovtsiv [Prospects for the Use of Virtual Reality Technologies in the Psychological Rehabilitation of Military Personnel]. V Mizhnarodna naukovo-praktychna konferentsiia Tavriiskoho natsionalnoho universytetu imeni V. I. Vernadskoho, 281–284. DOI: https://doi.org/10.36059/978-966-397-502-3-71 [in Ukrainian].
Gnatiuk, L.R., & Shevel, Yu. (2018). Zasoby dyzainu u formuvanni interieru reabilitatsiinykh tsentriv. [Design tools in forming the interior of rehabilitation centers]. Proceedings of the International Scientific and Practical Conference “Actual Problems of Modern Design”, Kyiv : KNUTD, 141–143 [in Ukrainian].
Lobur, M., & Dzhus, O. (2024). Intehratsiia virtualnoi realnosti ta tekhnolohii vidstezhennia rukhu dlia pokrashchennia fizychnoi reabilitatsii: ohliad opysu. [Integration of Virtual Reality and Motion Tracking Technologies for Improving Physical Rehabilitation: A Descriptive Review]. Computer Design Systems: Theory and Practice, 6(1), 28–36. https://doi.org/10.23939/cds2024.01.028 [in Ukrainian].
Peker, A.Y., & Holubov, V.O. (2021). Analiz zarubizhnoho dosvidu proektuvannia reabilitatsiinykh tsentriv dlia viiskovosluzhbovtsiv. [Analysis of foreign experience in designing rehabilitation centers for military personnel]. Arkhitekturnyi visnyk KNUBA, 22–23, 46–52. DOI: https://doi.org/10.32347/2519-8661.2021.22-23.46-52 [in Ukrainian].
Shmelova-Nesterenko, O., Terletska, N., & Sokyrko, K. (2023). Vyznachennia novitnikh tendentsii v dyzaini interieru reabilitatsiinykh tsentriv dlia viiskovykh. [Identification of new trends in the interior design of rehabilitation centers for the military]. Proceedings of the V International Scientific and Practical Conference “Actual Problems of Modern Design”, Kyiv: KNUTD, 284–286 [in Ukrainian].
Bajcsy, P., McHenry, K., Na, H.-J., Malik, R., Spencer, A., Lee, S.-K., Kooper, R., & Frogley, M. (2009). Immersive environments for rehabilitation activities. In MM '09: Proceedings of the 17th ACM International Conference on Multimedia. New York: Association for Computing Machinery, 829–832. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1145/1631272.1631425 [in English].
DeChiara, J., Panero, J., & Zelnik, M. (2001). Time-Saver Standards for Interior Design and Space Planning. New York: McGraw-Hill. Retrieved from: https://www.strandbooks.com/time-saver-standardsfor-interior-design-and-space-planning-9780071346160.html [in English].
Ergonomics of human-system interaction — Part 940: Evaluation of tactile and haptic interactions. Retrieved from: https://www.iso.org/obp/ui/en/#iso:std:iso:9241:-940:ed-1:v1:en [in English].
Francová, A., Csigó, K., Páll, E., Řimnáčová, Š., Vodička, J., & Mikuláštík, P. (2023). Design and Evaluation of Virtual Reality Environments for Claustrophobia. PRESENCE: Virtual and Augmented Reality, 32, 23–34. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1162/pres_a_00385 [in English].
Fregna, G., Schincaglia, N., Baroni, A., Straudi, S., & Casile, A. (2022). A novel immersive virtual reality environment for the motor rehabilitation of stroke patients: A feasibility study. Frontiers, 9, 1–12. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/frobt.2022.906424 [in English].
Mackey, D.C., Lachance, C.C., Wang, P.T., et al. (2019). The Flooring for Injury Prevention (FLIP) Study of compliant flooring for the prevention of fallrelated injuries in long-term care: A randomized trial. PLoS One, 14(6). Retrieved from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6590787/ [in English].
Motek Medical. Solutions (2024). Retrieved from: https://www.motekmedical.com/solutions/ (last accessed: 29.09.2025) [in English].
Premmedia. Interactive Digital Kiosks & Waiting Room Displays for Healthcare. Retrieved from: https://premmedia.com/interactive-touch-screendisplays-for-healthcare/ [in English].
Rizzo, A., Difede, J. (2010). Development and early evaluation of the Virtual Iraq/Afghanistan exposure therapy system for combat-related PTSD. Annals of the New York academy of sciences «Psychiatric and Neurologic Aspects of War», 115–125. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1749-6632.2010.05755.x [in English].
Summit medical & Scientific (2018). CAREN training conducted at Defence and National Rehabilitation Centre. Retrieved from: https://summitmedsci.co.uk/2018/09/11/caren-training-conducted-at-defenceand-national-rehabilitation-centre/ [in English].
Ulrich, R., Quan, X., Zimring, C., Joseph, A., & Choudhary, R. (2004). The role of the physical environment in the hospital of the 21st century: A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Concord, CA: The Center for Health Design, 69. Retrieved from: https://healingphotoart.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/UlrichPhyEnviron.pdf [in English].
VirtualSpeech (2023). VR Accessibility: How Virtual Reality Is Improving Inclusion. Retrieved from: https://virtualspeech.com/blog/vr-accessibility-inclusion [in English].
Zainab, H., Bawany, N.Z., Rehman, W., & Imran, J. (2023). Design and Development of Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy Systems: Requirements, Challenges and Solutions. Multimedia Tools and Applications, 83(2), 1–24. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11042-023-15756-5 [in English].
Zhao, Y., Liu, Z., Zhu, H., & Li, J. (2024). A Novel Virtual Reality System for Upper Limb Rehabilitation Based on Inertial Sensing Technology. Sensors, 25(2), 340. Retrieved from: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/2/340 [in English].
