Sufferers of Chronic Pain Find Relief in Virtual Reality

Sufferers of Chronic Pain Find Relief in Virtual Reality

Top of Mind with Julie Rose - Radio Archive, Episode 559 , Segment 4

Episode: Robots Taking Jobs, Musical Medication, Virtual Reality

  • May 23, 2017 11:00 pm
  • 15:13 mins

Guest: Diane Gromala, PhD, Professor and Canada Research Chair in the School of Interactive Arts and Technology, Simon Fraser University Overdose deaths due to opioids, including prescription pain killers and heroin, have more than doubled in the US over the last ten years. Meanwhile, those who suffer from chronic pain have a tough choice: is it worth the risk of opioid addiction to relieve constant pain? Some patients don’t even have the choice anymore, as doctors stop prescribing opiate painkillers so readily. A new alternative is emerging with the help of tech companies and game designers. Some pain patients say the virtual-reality treatment works even better than drugs.

Other Segments

Playlists Reduce Medication Needs of Elderly

16m

Guest: Kali Thomas, PhD, Assistant Professor of Health Services, Policy and Practice, Brown University, Research Health Science Specialist, Providence VA Medical Center Within the next decade, an estimated 7 million Americans will be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and related dementias, so the need for innovative ways to treat the illness is crucial. Maybe you’ve seen the viral video online of an elderly man with dementia slumped and staring blankly until a nurse puts some headphones on him and a favorite song begins to play. Suddenly, he comes alive.  Anecdotally, music seems like a powerful tool for people with dementia. Brown University researchers now have the data to prove it. Kali Thomas worked on the study, appearing in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.

Guest: Kali Thomas, PhD, Assistant Professor of Health Services, Policy and Practice, Brown University, Research Health Science Specialist, Providence VA Medical Center Within the next decade, an estimated 7 million Americans will be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and related dementias, so the need for innovative ways to treat the illness is crucial. Maybe you’ve seen the viral video online of an elderly man with dementia slumped and staring blankly until a nurse puts some headphones on him and a favorite song begins to play. Suddenly, he comes alive.  Anecdotally, music seems like a powerful tool for people with dementia. Brown University researchers now have the data to prove it. Kali Thomas worked on the study, appearing in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.