Virtual Reality Video Game Helps Relieve Burn Pain

Just the thought of falling snow, cold winds, and icy rivers makes most of us shiver.  That’s the philosophy behind SnowWorld, a new virtual reality video game that is helping people with severe burns experience pain relief.  Recovery from significant burns can be extremely painful and lengthy.  Daily bandage changes, wound care, and physical therapy can be excruciating.  Fortunately, SnowWorld is a cool escape that can help reduce reported pain.

SnowWorld is the brainchild of Hunter G. Hoffman, PhD and David Patterson, PhD.  After observing children and teenagers experience fear and anxiety before burn therapies, the doctors developed the virtual reality game as a distraction during treatments.  Magnetic resonance imaging studies have proven that virtual reality games can reduce pain signals in the brain. With the SnowWorld gear on, participants can play in virtual snowball fights with penguins and snowmen, while listening to their favorite music.  The multi-sensory experience helps minimize the focus on pain.  SnowWorld is novel, fun, and most importantly, it can be used to manage pain without medication.

 

 

 

 

 

Virtual Reality Video Game Helps Relieve Burn Pain

Just the thought of falling snow, cold winds, and icy rivers makes most of us shiver.  That’s the philosophy behind SnowWorld, a new virtual reality video game that is helping people with severe burns experience pain relief.  Recovery from significant burns can be extremely painful and lengthy.  Daily bandage changes, wound care, and physical therapy can be excruciating.  Fortunately, SnowWorld is a cool escape that can help reduce reported pain.

SnowWorld is the brainchild of Hunter G. Hoffman, PhD and David Patterson, PhD.  After observing children and teenagers experience fear and anxiety before burn therapies, the doctors developed the virtual reality game as a distraction during treatments.  Magnetic resonance imaging studies have proven that virtual reality games can reduce pain signals in the brain. With the SnowWorld gear on, participants can play in virtual snowball fights with penguins and snowmen, while listening to their favorite music.  The multi-sensory experience helps minimize the focus on pain.  SnowWorld is novel, fun, and most importantly, it can be used to manage pain without medication.