(Toronto, December 9, 2024) In a pivotal step toward improving research standards in health care technologies, the Journal of Medical Internet Research has published the RATE-XR guideline . This new tool aims to standardize reporting for early-phase clinical studies involving extended reality (XR) technologies such as virtual reality and augmented reality. Developed through a robust, expert-driven process, RATE-XR addresses critical gaps in transparency, safety, and ethical reporting, ensuring XR applications meet the needs of patients and researchers alike.
Led by a multidisciplinary team of international experts, RATE-XR offers a checklist comprising 17 XR-specific and 14 generic reporting items, along with detailed explanations to guide researchers. This comprehensive framework not only emphasizes transparency and patient-centeredness but also fosters reproducibility, laying the groundwork for responsible integration of XR technologies into health care.
RATE-XR is designed to be inclusive and adaptable to the fast-changing field of XR. Its development included a 2-step expert consultation process, with input from a wide range of stakeholders. RATE-XR offers straightforward recommendations and covers essential topics like clinical utility, safety to human factors, and ethics.
The publication marks a significant milestone in the evolving landscape of XR research. By enhancing the rigor and clarity of clinical evaluations, the RATE-XR guideline empowers researchers, clinicians, and technology developers to assess XR innovations effectively and accelerate their integration into health care systems. The research team hopes this guideline will inspire further advancements in harmonizing XR research practices.
