New Therapy Shown to Reduce Pain in CRPS Sufferers

Researchers in Switzerland have recently learned that virtual reality may prove to be an effective tool in providing pain relief to victims of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). Read on to learn about the innovative new technique to reduce the painful effects of this condition, and contact a seasoned Texas attorney for help in filing a claim for damages if an accident caused you to develop CRPS.

Sensitivity to touch creates difficulty in rehabilitating limbs affected by CRPS

In a previous post, we explained the condition known as CRPS. CRPS develops most often after an individual suffers a traumatic accident. CRPS, once known as RSD, makes victims extremely sensitive to touch on the affected areas and can cause extreme pain in those areas. This can make it difficult for victims to undergo physical therapy or other forms of rehabilitation to reduce the effects of the disorder.

One team of researchers has used virtual reality technology to help reduce the symptoms of CRPS without subjecting patients to potentially-painful touch. The study, which took place at the University of Geneva in Switzerland, involved 24 patients suffering from CRPS in their upper limbs. The subjects underwent measurements of the level of pain they were experiencing, as well as of their grip strength and their heart rate variability (a measure that is associated with pain levels). The subjects were then immersed in a virtual environment, where they saw a 3D model of their affected hand or arm that flashed in rhythm with their heartbeat.

Virtual therapy led to increased strength and decreased pain

The so-called heartbeat-enhanced virtual reality (HEVR) had a measurable positive effect on CRPS patients. Subjects performed better on grip strength tests after undergoing the virtual therapy and also had a higher HRV score, which indicates lower pain levels. The subjects also reported experiencing a reduction in pain after the therapy. The lead author of the study, Marco Solcà, noted, “We are at the beginning of VR therapies for pain. VR and related media will probably be in every household in the very near future, further underscoring the potential future impact of our results.”

Obtaining these innovative treatments for painful conditions can be a challenge when victims do not have the ability to pay for it after an accident. A personal injury lawsuit against the those responsible for these injuries can provide the means for victims to get the therapies they need to hopefully restore function, reduce pain and allow them to live full and active lives after a serious accident.

If you or someone you love has been injured in an accident in Texas, get help seeking the money damages you deserve for your injuries by contacting the Beaumont offices of the Gilbert Adams Law Firm for a free consultation at 409-835-3000.