LookBack

LookBack is a VR-powered reminiscence therapy platform designed to improve the well-being of individuals living with dementia.

Role:

Founder, Strategy, Design, Development

Date:

2018

Website:




Bringing dementia care into the future.


People living with dementia often experience memory loss, anxiety, and disorientation, while caregivers struggle to find ways to connect with them.

We saw an opportunity to use virtual reality and AI-driven personalization to make reminiscence therapy more immersive, accessible, and effective.

Pushing the boundaries of VR technology.

LookBack was first built for Google Daydream and smartphone VR, making immersive reminiscence therapy widely accessible. As hardware advanced, we developed a dedicated Oculus app, enabling users to visit any location of personal significance and explore 3D-recreated historical environments for deeper memory engagement.

A key innovation was syncing the VR headset feed with a companion app, allowing caregivers and family members to guide sessions in real-time. By leveraging an audio signal-based pairing system, we eliminated complex setup processes, making it easy to use in caregiving settings without technical barriers.

Humanizing VR and dementia care.

LookBack was one of the first impactful use cases of VR in healthcare, proving that immersive technology could drive real-world therapeutic outcomes. By combining emotionally resonant design with the capabilities of VR, we created an experience that was novel, deeply engaging, effective, and intuitive enough for real caregiving settings.


Setting a new standard.

LookBack was adopted by forward-thinking care settings in the UK's NHS and widely recognized for its innovation and impact.

  • Among the first VR-based dementia therapies, leveraging immersive technology for cognitive and emotional well-being.

  • Validated through a pilot study with the UK’s NHS Clinical Commissioning Group, proving usability and impact.

  • Recognized by BBC, TechCrunch, Wired, and the Mayor of London as a breakthrough in dementia care.

  • Featured in the book VRx: How Virtual Therapeutics Will Revolutionize Medicine


LookBack was adopted by forward-thinking care settings in the UK's NHS and widely recognized for its innovation and impact.

  • Among the first VR-based dementia therapies, leveraging immersive technology for cognitive and emotional well-being.

  • Validated through a pilot study with the UK’s NHS Clinical Commissioning Group, proving usability and impact.

  • Recognized by BBC, TechCrunch, Wired, and the Mayor of London as a breakthrough in dementia care.

  • Featured in the book VRx: How Virtual Therapeutics Will Revolutionize Medicine

© 2025 Arfa Rehman

© 2025 Arfa Rehman

© 2025 Arfa Rehman

© 2025 Arfa Rehman