Exploring the 'Pain-Dial' - A Virtual Reality Pain Reduction Technique

The 'pain-dial' is a psychological intervention that aims to 'dial-down' the harrowing experience of chronic pain (CP)
through exposure, distraction, and lowering pain expectancy. Since CP is considered epidemic, a lack of access to
interventions that promote positive function despite pain is a barrier to positive quality of life. Digital technologies
which allow remote access may help to overcome this and make greater impact to the individual. The concept of a
'pain-dial' is utilised within hypnotherapy, but the exact mechanism underlying its effect remains elusive. This
proposal has three aims: (1) To understand the mechanisms of the 'pain-dial' to reduce pain and discuss whether
virtual reality (VR) enhances its efficacy. (2) To test the 'pain-dial' mechanisms within a healthy sample by
experimentally inducing pain, across four means of delivery, imagination, VR, screen-based, analogue, plus a
control. (3) To understand if a randomised controlled trial examining the efficacy of the 'pain-dial' is feasible among
fibromyalgia patients and explore the acceptance of the technology. It is the intention for this method to be
incorporated into existing CP treatments, endorsed by NHS pain clinics, and be the basis for further validation as
an intervention in its own right, whilst supporting future developments in VR to treat CP.