The use of virtual reality as a treatment medium for autonomic dysfunction across three diagnostic groups: Case studies

Three patient case studies, will illustrate novel techniques for using virtual reality technology to treat patients with complex rehabilitation needs. The patients were respectively diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), persistent pain with post-concussion syndrome and persistent pain with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The common treatment goal for these patients is to use VR to promote top down regulation of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) by using VR to challenge the patients in small exposures. The exposure and subsequent required control by the patients will promote creation of new adaptive neural plastic networks. The patient treatment sessions were complete on a Computer Assisted Rehabilitation Environment (CAREN) Extended system (MotekForce link, The Netherlands) located at The Ottawa Hospital Rehabilitation Centre (TOHRC). The outcome measures to evaluate the treatment effectiveness will demonstrate changes in The World Health Organization categories of tissue dysfunction, patient activities and participation.