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Ukraine Is Using VR Therapy to Treat War Trauma—and a New Study Shows It’s Working
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![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
A large-scale deployment of mixed reality mental health therapy across Ukraine’s wartime healthcare system reached more than 1,100 patients and delivered nearly 9,000 treatment sessions over six months.
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According to a report published by Defence Blog on May 26, the study examined the use of Aspichi’s Luminify mixed reality program across 47 Ukrainian organizations, including hospitals, veteran rehabilitation centers, psychosocial support programs, and mobile care teams operating during Russia’s full-scale invasion.
The report stated that 1,114 patients completed 8,884 therapy sessions using 162 headsets between participating institutions. The deployment was conducted in partnership with the German development agency GIZ.
Luminify is designed as a structured mixed reality support system that combines cognitive behavioral therapy techniques, mindfulness exercises, breathing practices, grounding methods, and trauma-informed therapeutic scenarios delivered through VR headsets.
According to Defence Blog, the system is intended to support existing psychological care programs rather than replace psychotherapy.
The publication reported that Ukrainian practitioners used the platform as an additional stabilization and support tool for civilians and veterans affected by prolonged wartime stress.
“One of the most important effects we saw was that the headset helped people take the first step into support. Clients would hear about it from others and come in saying, ‘I came for the glasses.’ From there, the consultation could begin. In that sense, the tool helped reduce stigma and opened the door to care,” a psychologist from a Ukrainian resilience center said, according to Defence Blog.
According to the report, researchers found that implementation results varied between organizations depending on infrastructure, staff training, leadership support, and how effectively the technology was integrated into existing healthcare workflows.
The study concluded that long-term scaling would require clinician supervision protocols, standardized tracking systems, and broader integration into care pathways.
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Defense Blog also cited Aspichi data showing that the Luminify platform has reached more than one million users globally across over six million sessions. The company said its Ukrainian network expanded from five clinics in 2023 to 131 sites by 2025.
Aspichi CEO and co-founder Viktor Samoilenko said the system was developed to help healthcare providers manage growing psychological care demands during wartime.
“Health and recovery systems need new ways to deliver structured support without placing even more pressure on already overstretched professionals.
This study shows that immersive tools can play a serious practical role: helping care teams make support more accessible, repeatable, and easier for people to engage with,” Samoilenko said, according to Defense Blog.
The publication added that earlier research involving Ukrainian veterans with stress-related conditions, published in PubMed, showed reductions in anxiety and depression symptoms among participants using immersive therapy tools.
Earlier, Ukraine opened its first adaptive alpine skiing hub for veterans with lower-limb amputations in the Lviv region. The program provides free access to adaptive equipment, professional instructors, and rehabilitation through sport at the Bukovytsia ski resort.
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