The vascular surgery department at Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital is distracting patients with virtual reality headsets during surgery, The Paper reported Thursday.

Department director Jiang Jinsong told The Paper that VR videos can not only reduce stress but also educate patients about disease prevention. The department has commissioned animated content on the origins of vascular disease, surgical procedures, and post-operative care, Jiang said, and is also looking into adding more entertainment elements.

Virtual reality has seen a wide range of applications in China from courts to funeral homes, and since 2015, another Zhejiang hospital has been researching how the technology could help with rehabilitation after a stroke or spinal damage. (Image: Zhejiang News)