What is Mind & Motion?
Mind & Motion is designed to support you on your journey with chronic pain. Using virtual reality, the program gently guides you through movement, calming practices, and easy-to-understand explanations of how pain works in the brain and body.
The goal is to help you feel safer in your body, more in control, and less overwhelmed.
How Does The Program Work?
You’ll go through an 8-week journey – each week unlocks a new session. Each session lasts around 20–30 minutes and includes:
Assessment
Short, simple questions to help the app get to know your pain, how it affects your life, and how confident you feel managing it.
Learning
Easy-to-understand videos that explain how pain really works in the brain and body – helping you make sense of what you feel.
Movement
Fun and immersive exercises that get you moving, focused on different body areas. Each session includes a quick range of motion check before and after.
Mindfulness
Guided breathing and awareness practices in calming VR environments – helping you relax your nervous system and feel more in control.
Step-by-Step Guide for First-Time Users
1. Select Mind & Motion from the XR Portal Library.
You will find the app under Behavioral Space.
2. Watch the first-time tutorial.
You will watch the tutorial in the app, but you can also click here to watch it now.
3. Answer the assessment questions to help the app get to know you better and track your progress.
4. Watch your first video explaining your chronic pain journey.
5. Take your first Range of Motion (ROM) test – follow the on-screen instructions.
6. Play!
Follow the guidance through your first movement session. You’ll practice throwing a ball, following a ribbon with your head/hands, and taking steps. You’ll finish with another ROM test.
7. Follow your first mindfulness practice.
8. You’re all done!
You’ll now be taken to the Home screen.
Your 8-Week Journey
Here’s a week-by-week look at what you’ll experience in the program:
| Week | Learn | Movement | Mindfulness | Estimated Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | The chronic pain journey | Movement (selected body area and level) | Intro to Mindfulness | ~25 min |
| Week 2 | Your body alarm system | Movement (selected body area and level) | Breathing | ~20 min |
| Week 3 | Adjusting your alarm with movement | Movement (selected body area and level) | Conscious awareness | ~22 min |
| Week 4 | Adjusting your alarm with mindfulness | Movement (selected body area and level) | Mindful attention | ~25 min |
| Week 5 | Pacing | Movement (selected body area and level) | Connection | ~22 min |
| Week 6 | Waiting to feel better | Movement (selected body area and level) | Mindfulness of emotions | ~22 min |
| Week 7 | Sometimes discomfort is worth it | Movement (selected body area and level) | Grounding | ~28 min |
| Week 8 | Maintenance | Movement (selected body area and level) | Mindful observation | ~22 min |
You’re encouraged to complete 2 extra movement practices each week (total: 3 per week).
What to Expect When You Open the App
Each week when you open the app, you’ll go straight into that week’s session. No need to choose or search.
You won’t be able to skip ahead, but once you complete the full session, you’ll arrive at the Home screen, where you can explore, repeat practices, or go at your own pace.
If you skip a week, it will resume from where you left off.
To exit the application, press the Menu button on your right controller and select “Quit.”
Disclaimer
Mind & Motion includes physical activity in standing virtual reality.
Make sure you’re in a safe indoor space (at least 10x10 ft), free of obstacles.
If you feel dizzy, unwell, or uncomfortable – stop the session immediately and reach out to your clinician.