Building VR games that use heartbeat feedback to teach emotional regulation
Depression, anxiety and behavioural disorders are among the leading causes of illness and disability in adolescents. Mental health conditions in this age group often remain unrecognized and untreated, while stigma can discourage young people from seeking help.
Acute XR develops Calm Quest, a VR game for children and adolescents to practise emotional regulation. It uses the player's heartbeat to shape a virtual world, giving therapists a play-based tool for emotional-regulation training.
What stands out about Acute XR
Calm Quest's precursor, Conquer Catharsis, was evaluated in a published pediatric randomized study.
Joined Health Wildcatters, the Dallas healthcare accelerator, after graduating from UVA's i.Lab incubator in 2024.
Accepted into the University of Virginia's i.Lab incubator after demonstrating its Conquer Catharsis prototype.
Acute XR launched Calm Quest Pro in open beta in June 2025, offering therapists early access to its VR biofeedback game.
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