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Press & Media
Channel 7 News Report
Medical Marvel; The Virtual Reality Program Helping
Melbourne Burns Victims Breakthrough The Pain Barrier.
Newsreader introduction
A new breakthrough technology is allowing burns
patients to beat the pain barrier. They have become the first to test
a technique that soothes their pain and doctors are reporting amazing
results.
Reporter: Emma Power (seven news)
"Darren Clarke knows all about pain. He suffered
severe burns in an industrial accident a week ago when a container holding
up to 300 litres of boiling wax exploded. Excruciating daily dressing
changes are crucial to his recovery."
Dr Alex Konstantatos, Specialist
Anaesthetist. The Alfred hospital
"A lot of people find it extremely hard to cope, even with medications
like morphine, administered in very large doses."
Reporter: Emma Power (seven news)
"Darren is now part of a two year trial of
a new technique to break through the pain barrier. This virtual reality
device with DVD player showing soothing images helps to lull patients
into deep relaxation." Sample of hypnosis program and imagery is
played.
"During an initial six week trial of this device patients were asked to rate their pain levels. Their charts showed an average 30% reduction in pain."
Darren Clarke - burns patient
"I could still feel that people were working
in the area (injuries), but is was pretty good. I think I've had one Panadol
this morning when, generally I'd be on morphine." "When the
nurse was dressing my feet, it was just like a pin really and other times
(without Virtual Reality Hypnosis™) it was like 'touch it and I'm
going to jump'."
Reporter: Emma Power (seven news)
"While this trial is focusing only on burns
patients, doctors say these techniques can be used by any patient experiencing
chronic pain.
Darren Clarke - burns patient
"Anything that improves pain is good, isn't it?"
end.
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