Virtual Reality Pain Education and Recovery Program (RTWSA)
Supporting people injured at work who are experiencing persistent pain.
Persistent pain is a complex condition caused by changes within the nervous system. If not addressed persistent pain can be a significant barrier to return to work and can greatly impact a person’s function and wellbeing. The provision of effective evidence-based pain education and rehabilitation which trains both the body and the brain is essential for promoting pain recovery.
Pain education is not simple or something you can just tick off a list. It involves helping individuals to reconceptualise their understanding of pain and learn how to guide a complex protective system towards recovery. When pain education isn’t done well, which is unfortunately common, patients feel dismissed, are less willing to participate in treatment, are more likely to experience emotional distress, and often seek unnecessary tests and costly invasive treatments.
Program Overview
Our Virtual Reality (VR) Pain Education and Recovery Program is comprehensive, evidence-based and grounded in modern pain science. It incorporates immersive VR pain education and rehab modules which have been developed by Australia’s leading pain science researchers and clinicians, including Lorimer Mosley. Our program is delivered by an experienced Occupational Therapist (OT) trained in modern pain science.
OTs are trained in using a holistic, client-centered approach, that considers various aspects of the individual, their daily activities and environmental factors. This broad expertise is especially beneficial in pain management given the complex nature of pain and the multitude of factors that contribute to pain. The factors that affect pain and wellbeing are broad and can include: daily activities, routine, movement, other health issues, work, thoughts, beliefs, emotions, stress, anxiety, sleep, behaviours, and social, cultural and environmental influences.
Our OT is experienced in coaching individuals to not only understand their pain system better, but to incorporate this understanding into their daily lives and make changes that are meaningful for them. As an accredited mental health OT, she is skilled in guiding people through the challenges and the psychological and behaviour changes needed to enhance independence and quality of life.
Incorporates the latest pain science and
evidence
Safe & non-invasive education and rehabilitation
Immersive therapy promoting active engagement in recovery
Delivered by and experienced pain and mental health OT
Benefits of VR for Pain Education and Rehab
VR offers an immersive, embodied, and multi-sensory experience, which engages the learner and empowers more active participation in education and therapy. It promotes a deeper understanding of pain, particularly when combined with movement and rehab experiences. This approach can help alter sensory input and facilitate brain and body retraining which is essential for pain recovery. VR’s enjoyable and interactive nature can help with addressing fear of movement, pain catastrophising, and assist with emotional regulation and stress management
The Process
- Initial comprehensive assessment to better understand the client’s needs, situation and goals.
- Personalised treatment plan created collaboratively with the client and care team.
- Program is flexibly delivered over 10 sessions in the client’s home, community location, clinic space or workplace.
- Progress and outcomes reviewed through pre- and post-assessments.
- Updates provided to the claims manager and care team to assist with care planning
Who would benefit from this program?
Clients with an accepted musculoskeletal injury claim with RTWSA, that have been experiencing pain longer than 3 months, and meet ANY of the following criteria:
- Demonstrating a limited understanding of persistent pain.
- Continuing incapacity or reduced capacity to return to work.
- Reporting pain interference with daily activities, social interactions, or mental health.
- Feeling a lack of control over pain and recovery.
- Currently relying on opioid medications to manage their pain.
