VR Phantom Haven: Phantom Limb Pain Management Using Virtual Reality
摘要
Phantom limb pain (PLP) remains a persistent challenge for amputees, with current treatments often falling short. This research delves into the potential of virtual reality (VR) as a groundbreaking approach for PLP management. We designed a VR-based system incorporating features specifically tailored to address PLP complexities, including interactive interfaces, customizable environments, and real-time pain detection using machine learning models achieving high accuracy (92%) and precision (94%). A pilot test with three patients yielded promising results: all participants reported a significant decrease in pain levels, from level 3 to 0, within an average of 30–45 min of VR exposure. These preliminary findings suggest VR’s potential to offer a safe, engaging, and potentially effective approach to PLP management. Further research with larger and more diverse participant groups is necessary to solidify these results and explore VR’s broader impact on amputee well-being, paving the way for VR as a transformative tool in chronic pain management.