Development and feasibility of a metaverse-based program for health care transition and quality of life in adolescents with spina bifida: A pilot study - Report - MDSpire

Development and feasibility of a metaverse-based program for health care transition and quality of life in adolescents with spina bifida: A pilot study

  • By

  • Hooyun Lee

  • Hyeseon Yun

  • Kyua Kim

  • Eunjeong Bae

  • Eun Kyoung Choi

  • May 23, 2026

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Clinical Report: Metaverse-Enhanced Program for Health Transition in SB

Overview

This preliminary investigation explores a metaverse-based program designed to enhance self-management and quality of life for adolescents with spina bifida (SB). The study assesses the program's feasibility and acceptability, highlighting its potential to support healthcare transitions during a critical developmental period.

Background

Spina bifida is a lifelong condition that presents numerous health challenges, particularly during adolescence, a time when individuals must develop self-management skills. Effective transition planning is crucial for optimizing health outcomes and quality of life in this population. Innovative interventions, such as those utilizing the metaverse, may provide new avenues for support and engagement.

Data Highlights

No numerical data was provided in the source material.

Key Findings

  • The metaverse-based program aims to enhance self-management and psychosocial support for adolescents with SB.
  • Avatar-based interactions may reduce stigma and promote engagement among participants.
  • The program is grounded in the Life Course Model, focusing on long-term health outcomes.
  • Feasibility and acceptability assessments are critical in early-phase intervention studies.
  • Adolescents' familiarity with technology may facilitate the integration of the metaverse into healthcare.

Clinical Implications

Healthcare providers should consider innovative digital interventions like the metaverse to enhance self-management and social support for adolescents with spina bifida. Early engagement in structured transition planning can improve health-related quality of life and facilitate smoother transitions to adult care.

Conclusion

The use of a metaverse-enhanced program presents a promising approach to support adolescents with spina bifida in their healthcare transition. Further research is needed to evaluate its long-term effectiveness and impact on quality of life.

Related Resources & Content

  1. Frontiers in Digital Health, 2026 -- A pilot feasibility study of a tablet-based virtual community application with shared avatars for promoting health behavior change in older adult care facilities
  2. Frontiers in Digital Health, 2026 -- Co-creating a program theory and evaluability assessment for an Irish single-session, synchronous chat-based youth mental health intervention: implications for outcome evaluation
  3. Frontiers in Digital Health, 2026 -- Feasibility testing of a home-based exercise intervention in children with cerebral palsy who are ambulant—a study protocol of the HOME-EX study
  4. EAU–ESPU–ERN eUROGEN–ERN ITHACA–ERN ERKNet–IFSBH Guidelines on Spinal Dysraphism in Children and Adolescents: Summary of the Guideline - ScienceDirect
  5. Healthcare transition in spina bifida: A national mixed method study - ScienceDirect
  6. Obesity Surgery — Utilizing 3D Reconstruction and Virtual Reality as Effective Approaches for Enhancing Body Image in Bariatric Metabolic Surgery
  7. EAU–ESPU–ERN eUROGEN–ERN ITHACA–ERN ERKNet–IFSBH Guidelines on Spinal Dysraphism in Children and Adolescents: Summary of the Guideline - ScienceDirect
  8. Healthcare transition in spina bifida: A national mixed method study - ScienceDirect
  9. The effect of a 12-week tele-exercise using immersive virtual reality on functional capacity in adolescents with cystic fibrosis: A randomized controlled, single (assessor) - blind study - PubMed

Original Source(s)

Development and feasibility of a metaverse-based program for health care transition and quality of life in adolescents with spina bifida: A pilot study

  • by Hooyun Lee, Hyeseon Yun, Kyua Kim, Eunjeong Bae, Eun Kyoung Choi

  • May 23, 2026

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