Cadinche Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Takayuki Aoki), which develops space-time and human expansion technology, will begin a demonstration experiment with the cooperation of Associate Professor Masahiko Sumiya, Director of the Palliative Care Department, the University of Tokyo Medical School Hospital in order to verify the effectiveness of peer support and remote fitness systems (commonly known as “VR cancer peer support”) for cancer patients using VR technology.

About the development of “VR Cancer Peer Support”

In the medical field, “peer support,” where patients who experience the same illness share their worries and anxiety, and support each other while sharing wisdom and information to positively spend their lives thereafter, is spreading particularly among cancer patients.

Normally, patient meetings and meetings at medical institutions were the center, but due to the recent spread of the novel coronavirus infection, it has become difficult to set up face-to-face opportunities, so opportunities on the internet such as SNS and chat are increasing.

However, on SNS, chat, etc., interaction between patients tends to be weak compared to face-to-face, etc., and there are also voices pointing out that experiential programs such as yoga and exercises cannot be carried out, which is unsatisfactory.

Therefore, by making full use of VR technology, we are developing a virtual space where it is possible to interact while providing the illusion of being face-to-face while ensuring anonymity while providing remote participation, and even exercise experiences.

About the “VR Cancer Peer Support” system

You can watch a video introducing “VR Peer Support” below.

“VR Cancer Peer Support” has two main functions.
1) A function that allows you to interact with remote people (experimental collaborators) through conversation or hand movements
2) Function that allows fitness (upper limb exercise) to be performed in a virtual space (3D CG)

Since both functions can be performed in the same virtual space, it is also possible to “do fitness while sharing conversation and hand movements” by combining 1) and 2). Also, fitness “changes daily,” and “stretches,” “boxer sizes,” “core,” etc. are prepared, and 3D CG spaces are prepared according to each type of fitness. The trainer's model exercises displayed during fitness show movements measured by motion tracking in 3D CG space.

Implementation of demonstration experiments targeting cancer patients

This time, it has been supervised since the development stageAssociate Professor Masahiko Sumiya, Director, Palliative Care Department, University of Tokyo Medical School HospitalWith the cooperation of, it was decided to begin a demonstration experiment at the University of Tokyo Medical School Hospital to verify its effectiveness.

In carrying out the demonstration experiment, several cancer patients being examined at the same hospital will participate, and participants will be lent HMD (head-mounted displays) and taken home, and participants will be asked to participate in an exercise program prepared in a virtual space and participate in exchange opportunities between participants, and the changes from before the experiment will be verified.

About future developments

Based on the verification results in the demonstration experiment, we will further advance the implementation of functions that meet the needs of patients and aim for practical application. Also, using this initiative for cancer patients as a role model, we are considering applying it to other diseases, injuries, and nursing prevention areas for seniors in the future.

In addition to the above research and development, we are also focusing on developing an “online self-fitness system” to promote the habituation of exercise at home, mainly among seniors, and we will continue to work in the future to contribute to maintaining and promoting the health of as many people as possible in the future.

Comment from Associate Professor Masahiko Sumitani, Director, Palliative Care Department, The University of Tokyo Medical School

In developed Western countries, including Japan, the number of patients suffering from cancer (cancer) is increasing year by year, and 1 in 2 people experience cancer in Japan. Cancer treatment results themselves have improved due to advances in medicine, but various anxiety and lifestyle problems caused by suffering from cancer may not be solved by medical personnel alone at hospitals or clinics. Furthermore, it is not uncommon for patients who have successfully completed cancer treatment to have prolonged physical disorders and anxiety.

As specialists in palliative care and supportive care, we are in charge of treating various problems faced by patients, and we cooperate with cancer therapists to treat each patient with the goal of being able to continue optimal cancer treatment without difficulty. In addition, treatment interventions are also carried out for patients after cancer treatment has been completed.
Apart from this kind of treatment in our medical field, peer support (consultation by people who have experienced cancer), where cancer patients support each other, is expanding as support for patients' concerns related to cancer that cannot be filled with medical treatment. Many peer support activities have spread in Japan, but it is still not uncommon to hear the voices of patients, such as “I can't get there because it's far away,” “I'm embarrassed to interact directly with other patients,” and “I just want to take a little peek first.”
Therefore, we have jointly developed VR (virtual reality = virtual reality) cancer peer support so that cancer patients can participate more in peer support activities. VR eliminates physical travel distance, and patients can participate at their favorite places. Also, by using avatars (humanoid model dolls), there is no embarrassment in direct face-to-face contact, and it is possible to have lively communication even if it is indirect.

Furthermore, what we provide to cancer patients through VR cancer peer support is a “fitness” program. It is known that exercise habits in daily life can reduce the risk of cancer onset and recurrence, and that they have the effect of reducing side effects associated with cancer treatment, but I think it is also true that “I know exercise is good, but there is no reason to start” or “I started but was a child for 3 days.” From the standpoint of a cancer palliative care/supportive care specialist, I continue to have the desire that cancer patients exercise every day because even a little bit is good, and I would like to make that happen with VR cancer peer support.

I would like patients to work on health management that they can do on their own so that they can live a vibrant life while having cancer and even after they have graduated from cancer.

Cooperating companies

Gleam Bridge Co., Ltd. (business planning)
Universal Training Center Co., Ltd.(Exercise menu supervision/motion act)

Contact information

Please contact us below for inquiries regarding this matter.
Kadinche Co., Ltd.
Person in charge: Sakamura Mina
Phone: 03-6451-3560
E-mail: vr-fitness-support@kadinche.com