The VRWalk studies examine the use of a virtual reality walking simulation to treat neuropathic pain caused by spinal cord injuries. VRWalk looks to build upon the same mechanisms as treatments such as mirror therapy that make use of visual feedback to reduce neuropathic pain.
The Futures Lab is beginning recruitment of individuals with spinal cord injuries for a survey study. The study will involve a series of questionnaires selected to give researchers a better understanding of the experience of living with a spinal cord injury.
The RESTORE project involves the development and use of an optimized VR interface (the HapticVRWalk) in combination with noninvasive neuromodulation (transcranial direct current stimulation, tDCS) to simultaneously enhance surviving sensory spinal nerve fibers and somatosensory signals in the brain in an effort to restore touch perception among individuals with incomplete SCI.Â