VR lower limb phantom pain and phantom limb image training system
On the release of the “VR Lower Limb Phantom Pain and Phantom Limb Image Training System”
Since July 2020, Kadinche Co., Ltd. has been conducting joint research on phantom limb pain using virtual reality (VR) in collaboration with Dr. Masahiko Sumiya from the University of Tokyo Medical School and Dr. Michihiro Osumi of the Kio University Neurorehabilitation Research Center.
In this study, for the purpose of eliminating phantom pain (neuropathic pain), we developed a system to reconstruct the cooperative relationship between motor and sensory systems by inputting visual information on limbs and posture adjustment using virtual reality (VR), and began experiments targeting patients in 2022/9. We plan to continue to increase the number of test subjects and collect and analyze further data.
Now, in order to deliver the application developed in this study to more patients and health care workers, we have decided to publish it on our website. We would appreciate it if you could check the terms of use before using it.
[Development Background]
It has been shown that phantom pain causes a breakdown in coordination between motor and sensory systems due to limb defects, and this causes pain. This system uses a method of copying the movement of a healthy limb into a phantom limb in VR and reproducing it visually. A similar system already exists for phantom pain in the upper limbs, but since no such application has been applied to phantom limb pain in the lower extremities, we have decided to cooperate with the development.
As reference materials, I will cite part of “Toward the Medical Application of Virtual Reality (Virtual Reality) Devices (History of Medicine Vol. 269 No. 8),” which was co-authored by Dr. Masahiko Sumiya from the University of Tokyo Medical School Hospital and Dr. Michihiro Osumi of the Kio University Neurorehabilitation Research Center.
[System Overview]
＜Application Overview＞
・Sensors are attached to the patient's physical fitness, and it is possible to move through courses within various VR spaces according to foot movements such as walking or paddling a fitness bike
・In VR, healthy limbs and phantom limbs are displayed, and visual feedback is given when cycling or walking with both legs
＜System Configuration＞
・Meta Quest (used by connecting to a VR head-mounted display PC)
・Windows PCs (gaming PCs, etc.) that meet VR operation requirements
・This application
・Small fitness bike (for cycling)
・Vive Tracker (motion tracker attached to the ankle)
・BaseStation (sensor installed in the room)
＜Technology used＞
・Construct multiple spaces and courses in 3D to match treatment programs. Implemented on a game engine.
・Development of a system to synchronize the movement of a tracker with the rotational motion of a bicycle
Patent pending: “Pain treatment support system and image generating device for pain treatment”
【download】
・Please be sure to check and comply with the following terms of use when using the service.
・This app is provided in its current form. The efficacy, effects, side effects, and complications of this application have not been medically determined at this stage. We are not responsible for any inconvenience or damage caused by using this application.