Unlocking Relief: How the University of New South Wales is Using Brain Games to Combat Chronic Pain

A new approach to managing chronic pain is emerging from the University of New South Wales. This innovative method, called PainWaive, offers a drug-free alternative for those suffering from nerve pain.

What is PainWaive?

PainWaive uses a simple setup: an EEG headset and a specially designed game app on a tablet. The game helps users learn to manage abnormal brain activity linked to their pain. It reacts in real-time to changes in brain waves, monitored through the headset. Users can also receive mental strategies to enhance their brain’s functioning.

The team behind PainWaive even created their own EEG headset using 3D printing technology to keep costs down and meet specific standards for their research.

Initial Findings

A small trial involving four participants showed promising results. According to a study published in The Journal of Pain, the intervention led to a medium reduction in pain severity for some users. Remarkably, three out of four participants experienced noticeable relief. Dr. Negin Hesam-Shariati, who co-leads the research, noted that the small sample size limits the conclusions but encourages further investigation. The team plans a larger trial with 224 patients facing nerve pain from spinal cord injuries.

Understanding Nerve Pain

Chronic nerve pain affects many people, often linked to job environments, injuries, or conditions like diabetes. Research suggests that the brain’s electrical patterns differ in those with neuropathic pain. For example, people with this type of pain tend to have more slow theta waves and fewer alpha waves. This imbalance might affect how pain signals are processed in the brain.

Professor Sylvia Gustin, a key figure in this research, has explored these brain changes extensively. Her work highlights how these alterations may inhibit the communication between brain areas responsible for processing pain sensations.

Broader Context

PainWaive is part of a larger trend in pain management, focusing on technology and neuroscience. Recent statistics indicate a growing interest in digital therapies—31% of patients with chronic pain are open to exploring virtual interventions alongside traditional treatments.

Other projects from the same research groups include virtual reality programs designed to help patients regain sensory functions and therapies targeting chronic pain relief through neuromodulation techniques. The rapidly advancing field of digital health shows promise in revolutionizing how we understand and treat chronic pain.

As PainWaive and similar projects continue to develop, there’s hope for improved, accessible options for managing chronic pain without relying solely on medications. The potential for home-based solutions offers a pathway for those who struggle to access conventional treatments.

For more information on the latest research in pain management, you can refer to The Journal of Pain.

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