Confronting Pain Redefining Mobility
From Grand Forum
Project Leaders
| Leader: | Diane Gromala |
| Co-Leader: | Chris Shaw |
PNIsCNIs |
Description
This project addresses long term issues (Melzack, 1990) faced by an estimated 1 in 5 Canadians who suffer from chronic pain (Boulanger, 2007), in three synergistic initiatives. The research is unique in its innovative integration of technologies, its longitudinal focus and the depth of involvement of a Canadian physician who is an acknowledged expert in complex pain, and a strong relationship with the DeGroote National Pain Centre. This project on Virtual Environment Technology for addressing Chronic Pain is unique in the world.
1. VR as Therapy and Training. Immersive VR has proven to be effective for treating acute pain (Hoffman & Patterson, 2005; Hoffman, et al 2004a, 2004b). We are the sole research team devoted to extending this research into the long-term arena of chronic pain by investigating what makes VR an effective, non-pharmacological analgesic and by training patients to modulate their perceived pain (Kabat-Zinn, 2006) by developing integrated VR and biofeedback technology (Shaw, et al., 2007). Next, we will examine to what degree users can learn to lower their pain thresholds in VR by various assessment measures, how much of that ability can persist over time, and if it can be reinforced through desktop and mobile technologies.
We have completed the first prototype of a virtual environment that addresses chronic pain, entitled "Virtual Meditative Walk", and are in progress towards refining its design and evaluating its effectiveness.
These efforts have resulted in Virtools/Dassault, Vancouver General Hospital and the DeGroote National Pain Centre joining CPRM as project Champions.
2. Diagnostic training tools. In collaboration with physicians at Vancouver General Hospital, we have been building an application that may improve diagnostic training of second and third year medical students. More specifically, the program is aimed at improving the ways that medical practitioners order diagnostic medical tests and interpret the results of those tests. We have have designed and built three separate iterations of that program (tentatively named 'GNOSIS'). Progressing beyond simple notions of "Virtual Patient", this program has involved the design and integration of a unique Graphical User Interface, an expert-based knowledge system, and a multiplayer networked gaming system. The practical benefits of the work are intended to be a system that helps medical students train their diagnostic thinking skills. An additional benefit is the opportunity to study how professionals perform diagnostic thinking, with a view to refining theories and knowledge about how experts form knowledge.
3. Keeping Socially-Connected & Mobile. In the third initiative, we will examine progressive social isolation and immobility common to chronic pain sufferers (Gatchel, et al., 2007). Experts in the area of Communication, Sociology, Computer Science and Interaction Design, will explore the ways in which social media and mobile technologies (Crow, et al, 2008) may enable those who suffer from chronic pain to remain as mobile and socially connected as possible, initially among users who are 60 and older.
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