People with complete Spinal Cord Injury, and chronic neuropathic pain, are needed for a research trial being conducted by researchers from University of New South Wales
VRWalk – A Virtual Walking Game for Neuropathic Pain in Spinal Cord Injury
Recruitment Closed
Recent advances in neuroscience have led to the understanding that changes in certain areas of the brain, particularly the sensorimotor area - the area responsible for sensation and movement - contribute to the development of neuropathic pain.
In this trial we will examine whether a new treatment that uses virtual reality to target these areas of the brain can reduce neuropathic pain.
When we use virtual reality, the brain interprets actions like walking, running, climbing, and touching that are performed in the virtual world the same as it would interpret those actions if they were performed in the real world. With the virtual reality walking intervention, we are providing the brain with input that reactivates the sensorimotor area of the brain, thus targeting the changes that have played a big part in the development of neuropathic pain.
Participation in the trial involves playing a virtual reality walking game for 10 mins, twice a day for 10-14 days, and completing a series of questionnaires at 6 timepoints over a 12-month period.
The trial is done from home so is available to people who live anywhere in Australia.
Participants can receive a total of $200.00 for completing all trial activities.
To register your interest, please complete and submit the form. The researchers will contact you asap.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact our research team: neurorecoveryresearch@unsw.edu.au