Researchers from the Kolling Institute have partnered with international and Australian experts to examine an innovative approach to nerve pain for those with spinal cord injuries. Australia-first study to alleviate pain for those with spinal cord injuries
Professor Ashley Craig
Professor James Middleton
Professor Paul Glare
Professors Ashley Craig, James Middleton and Paul Glare have joined the study as chief investigators, after it received a $1.78 million grant from the Federal Government. Professor Craig said the study will investigate the effectiveness of an advanced interactive intervention to reduce nerve pain and improve function. “We often regard loss of mobility as the most serious impact of a spinal cord injury, but we have found people with this injury consistently indicate nerve pain is their most difficult and debilitating challenge,” he said. “We know that nerve pain affects up to 75 per cent of people with a spinal cord injury, and they
describe the pain as burning, sharp, unbearable, unremitting and terrifying. Such pain is often linked with serious depression. “Current treatments often involve the use of antidepressants, anti- epileptics and opioids, but these medications provide limited pain relief to around 30 per cent of people and have a host of adverse side effects related to addiction and kidney failure. “This means a large number of people with a spinal cord injury continue to experience debilitating pain with no access to effective treatment options.” The five-year study will assess a new approach using an interactive gaming technology to reduce pain by helping to rectify the negative impact of the spinal cord injury on brain activity. Spinal cord injuries generally reduce the frequency of brain activity, so this highly-specialised game has
been designed to encourage high frequency activity and beneficial changes to the brain. Professor Craig welcomed the opportunity to be involved in the promising, collaborative trial. “Around 200 people a year suffer a spinal cord injury in NSW, and while that number may not seem large, these catastrophic injuries have a tremendous impact on individuals and their families,” he said. “If we’re able to effectively reduce their nerve pain without major side effects, it’ll have an immeasurable impact on their health, their ability to work and function, and specifically their
mental health as well.” The trial brings together
researchers from the Kolling as well as the University of Sydney, UNSW Sydney, University of Technology Sydney and the University of Washington.
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NSLHDNEWS | 2021 YEAR IN REVIEW
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