Lynn Nakad, PhD student, College of Nursing

Donor: Barbara and Richard Csomay Student Research Award

Project: Attitudes of Older Persons with Chronic Low Back Pain towards Virtual Reality Distraction Therapy

Funding Year: 2017 - 2018

Project Description:

  • Background: Musculoskeletal (MSK) pain is a common late-life problem that is best addressed with nonpharmacological interventions.
  • Objectives: This study explores a potential new nonpharmaclogic therapy for chronic pain management that could improve chronic MSK pain patient outcomes.
  • Population: Older adults suffering from chronic MSK pain who reside in assisted and independent living facilities and in the community.
  • Approach:  Immersive Virtual Reality (IVR) distraction therapy will be introduced. Attitudes and preferences of older persons suffering from chronic MSK pain towards IVR therapy will be described using open-ended focus groups and semi-structured interview. Surveys will be used to explore if levels of perceived pain intensity, interference, and catastrophizing relate to IVR treatment acceptability.
  • Targeted Outcomes:  Relationship between outcomes on the Brief Pain Inventory Short-Form (BPI-SF), Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), and treatment acceptability items. Themes related to attitudes and preferences of older persons towards IVR therapy.

For more information, contact Ms. Nakad .