How might interactive experiences promote healing?
In collaboration with CalArts, Reimagine Well, and Children’s Hospital LA, we built two interactive healing journeys for pediatric chemotherapy patients. Blending distraction therapy, comedy, puppetry, and a choose-your-own-adventure format, these experiences provided a fun and calming escape during treatment.
Type of Project:
Choice-based Narratives+ Meditation + Puppetry
My Roles: Narrative Designer, Producer, Editor
Roger Holzberg, Founding Director of Reimagine Well talks about immersive healing and “infusionariums”, a precursor to Interactive Adventures.
The Challenge
Pediatric and adolescent patients undergoing outpatient chemotherapy often face 4–12 hours of treatment, leading to boredom, stress, and isolation. These factors can result in depression and anxiety, which negatively impact healing outcomes. Addressing this challenge required innovative solutions to improve patient well-being during infusions.
The Idea
We asked patients: “Imaginary or real, what special place would help heal you? What or who would be there on your healing journey?” Their responses inspired three interactive healing journeys, blending distraction therapy, movement facilitation, and mindfulness training. Prototyped at Children’s Hospital LA (CHLA), these adventures transformed infusion time into a more positive and engaging experience.
The Result
Clinical testing showed significant benefits, including reduced stress and increased engagement. All surveyed patients and caregivers reported that the interactive adventures made treatment a happier experience, and 100% recommended them for future patients. Two of the journeys were fully produced and made accessible, offering young patients fun and therapeutic escapes during their healing process.
Our Sponsors
I was able to participate in Interactive Adventures because of a generous fellowship from California Institute of the Arts and support from Reimagine Well and Children’s Hospital LA.