See on www.gallup.com
PainLab member Terry Lavender is moderating a discussion series on technology and medicine this spring.
The discussions are part of Simon Fraser Universitys Philosophers Cafe, and take place the third Thursday of every month at Barclay Manor in Vancouvers West End. The first talk, Technology and the Elderly: Privacy versus independence, took place in January. Further talks in the series are:
Thu, 16 Feb 2012 7:00 p.m.: Medicine in the cloud
Thu, 15 Mar 2012 7:00 p.m. Pulling the plug
Thu, 19 Apr 2012 7:00 p.m. Health technology: Is it worth the cost?
For more information about the Philosophers’ Cafes, click here.
Diane Gromala spoke at TEDx American Riviera November 11 on Curative Powers of Wet, Raw Beauty. According to the TEDx website, her talk explores the wild side of mindful by creating provocative otherworlds. These virtual reality worlds enable people to access their own curative power in ways that have been measured as an effective non-pharmacological analgesics. Gromala’s work signals one way to address the so-called “silent epidemic” of chronic pain that affects 1 in 5 people — without resorting to the millennia-long use of opioids. A video of her talk can be found here.
The Transforming Pain Research Group, led by Dr. Diane Gromala, will be showing off their stuff at the University of California (Los Angeles) Art | Sci Center + Lab on November 30. Others taking part include Andrea Zeffiro, Tyler Fox and Jay Vidharthi.
Here’s how the announcement on the Art | Sci Center website puts it:
The Wild West of Chronic Pain: Collaborations among Artists, Scientists and Health Care Experts
- Why is a media technology immersive VR known as a non-pharmacological analgesic?
- Can a robot reduce anxiety?
- How might novel forms of social media combat the social isolation experienced by seniors who have chronic pain?
- What do Sufi practices and phosphorescent creatures have to do with pain?
Members of the Transforming Pain Research Group comprise artists, musicians, computer scientists, engineers, designers, psychophysicists; and pain physicians. All are exploring the ways that new technologies may help the 1 in 5 people who suffer from chronic pain.
Referred to as the silent epidemic, this relatively new disease has no known cause and no cure. While health care researchers explore its etiology, experts from diverse disciplines are working on ways to help with managing chronic pain. See what a group of innovative researchers north of the border are doing.
Physiotherapist Angelica Reeve visited our lab on November 7, 2011, and went for a walk in our virtual forest.
Dr. Diane Gromala has begun research in the Liebeskind History of Pain Collection, which are located are in the Louise M. Darling BioMedical Library at UCLA in Los Angeles.
The collection includes oral histories from the pioneers in pain research, along with rare medical books and collections of printed matter, physical objects, written records and other witnesses of history.
Do you want to participate in our research studies? Study opportunities range from a single 30 minute session to 15-20 minutes a day for 2 weeks. All studies have passed rigorous ethics boards at SFU and University of Toronto. Your name & information will be kept strictly confidential. Current opportunities include:
- Virtual meditative walk: human subject studies in Vancouver & Surrey, BC; spring 2012. Contact Meehae Song: meehaes@sfu.ca
- Sonic cradle: human subject studies in Surrey, BC (dates to be determined) and UCLA, last week of November 2011. Email Jay: kvidyart@sfu.ca
- Sitting meditation: human subject studies Stanford area, March & April 2012. Email Diane: gromala@sfu.ca
- Haptic creature (furry robot): human subject studies Vancouver, anticipated Summer 2012. Contact Mark: mna31@sfu.ca
- Social media (with the University of Toronto): human subject studies CURRENTLY: for people who:
- are 55+ years old
- have chronic pain and
- live in the Vancouver or Toronto areas.
The diary study requires an estimated 15-20 minutes of your time per day, for two weeks. We are studying communication patterns. Participants will receive $10. each week when they turn in their weekly diary. Email Jessica: jessica@taglab.ca.
- Virtual Reality, Art Therapy: we are seeking art therapists to participate in interviews spring 2012. Any geographic location in North America. Please contact Meehae Song: meehaes@sfu.ca
Utilizing Science, Technology and the Arts to Transform Pain
October 19, 2011 at 2pm PDT
Prof. Diane Gromala, PhD
Pain is universal to human existence. One in five Canadians experiences chronic pain. On average, they wait two to five years before seeing a pain specialist. This webinar features Prof. Diane Gromala, who has suffered from chronic pain for several decades. She will provide an overview of the exciting potential of new technologies and interaction design in helping to improve the lives of people who live with long-term chronic pain.
This webinar will offer some fascinating highlights on:
- immersive VR research: promising early results,
- studies in the use of robotics to alleviate anxiety,
- new developments in using social media to combat social isolation,
- the importance of conducting research studies and participating in them.
See www.cirpd.org/GetInvolved/Webinars/Pages/ScienceTechWebinar.aspx for more information.
Chronic pain sufferers who learn to dwell less on their ailments may sleep better and experience less day-to-day pain, according to results of research conducted on people with chronic face and jaw pain.
See on www.sciencedaily.com
David Thompson secondary student Yvonne Hao’s mother has suffered from a painful condition of
See on www.vancourier.com