Virtual Reality to Control Pain

Cognitive psychologist Hunter Hoffman is being honored by the Smithsonian Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum for his work on "SnowWorld", a virtual reality game that helps to distract burn victims from their pain while they undergo painful wound cleansing procedures. The patients fly through an arctic paradise, flinging snow balls at targets. Virtual reality games even beat out video games for distracting the patient. Hoffman's designs has also been used to combat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and even spider phobia.

seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/health/2003995566_hunter06.html

www.hitl.washington.edu/projects/vrpain/