VR Pain Management
“It's been really positive so far... It's promising that patients get pain relief, because people with complex regional pain syndrome don't get much relief from traditional treatments, even the best painkillers.”
The project
AUT's Pain and Musculoskeletal Conditions Research Team are aware that altering visual feedback of pain-affected limbs in virtual settings can lead to immediate and sustained pain reduction. Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), affecting 26 in 100,000 people, causes severe pain, skin sensitivity, and motor dysfunction, typically in a single limb. Patients often have a sense of dis-ownership of their affected limb, creating a significant barrier to rehabilitation.
Building on a decade of VR pain management and research, this solution needed to help patients reconnect with their affected limbs through virtual representation, while ensuring a comfortable and engaging therapeutic experience.
Expertise
Accessibility
Proof of Concept
Research
UX Design
UI Design
Technical Validation
Frontend Development
Backend Development
Quality Assurance & Testing
26
cases of CRPS per 100,000
10
years exploring VR in clinical setting
4
trials of the new experience in 2024
Starting with observational studies and expert interviews, RUSH collaborated closely with AUT's research team to understand both patient and clinician needs. Our team developed UX flows and wireframes for a relaxing, intuitive VR experience. Using Unity development for Meta Quest 2/3, we created an environment where patients could safely manipulate virtual representations of their hands.
The development process, led by RUSH's experiential tech specialists, prioritised creating a solution that could be effectively used under clinical supervision. Throughout development, we maintained a strong focus on user comfort, ensuring the experience wouldn't cause discomfort or dizziness - critical factors for medical VR applications.
“We felt that RUSH would build us a really nice product. Working with the team has been amazing. They're super people."
An Immersive Therapeutic Experience
The final solution delivers a calming VR environment where patients can visualise and manipulate virtual representations of their hands. Users can adjust the appearance of their virtual limbs, providing a new way to manage pain perception through visual feedback. Early trials show patients experiencing reduced pain levels and increased willingness to engage with their affected limb during sessions.
Bridging Research and Treatment
Initial research indicates patients quickly adapt to and prefer their virtual hands, with some reporting immediate benefits such as reduced tremor visibility. This breakthrough application demonstrates potential beyond CRPS treatment, with possible applications in hand osteoarthritis and stroke rehabilitation, particularly valuable in regions with limited access to specialised pain clinics.
Want to know more?
This product is currently in clinical trials.
If you'd like to know more about the project and the team at AUT behind this pioneering a virtual reality-based approach that could revolutionise CRPS treatment, read more on the AUT Ventures site.
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