Development and Validation of a Digital Pain-Reduction Kit for Musculoskeletal Injuries
Development and Validation of a Digital Pain-Reduction Kit for Musculoskeletal Injuries
This study will test the effectiveness of an evidence-based, multi-modal, "digital
 pain-reduction kit" as a non-pharmacological supplement to managing patients with pain due to
 musculoskeletal injuries. Outpatients will be randomized to receive either the pain reduction
 kit or active control. The kit will contain a virtual reality (VR) headset, therapeutic VR
 visualization software, and a low-cost wearable transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
 (TENS) unit. Clinical staff will monitor progress and provide scheduled coaching and outreach
 to patients in the intervention group. The control group will receive the low-cost wearable
 transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) unit alone; they will not receive VR or
 remote coaching. Study devices will be delivered to the patient's home with instructions for
 use; patients will receive remote clinical and technical support. Patients will be followed
 for 60 days and monitored for functional status, pain levels, use of pain medications
 (including opioids), satisfaction with care, and time to returning to work.
Inclusion Criteria:

 1. Provision of signed and dated informed consent form

 2. Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the
 duration of the study

 3. Male or female, age 18 or older

 4. Seeking care for a musculoskeletal injury

 5. Experiencing pain greater than 3 out of 10 on a visual analog scale

 6. English or Spanish speaking

 7. Owns a compatible Android or iOS smartphone device (excluding tablets)

 Exclusion Criteria:

 1. Unable to understand the goals of the study due to cognitive difficulty

 2. Use of a cardiac pacemaker, implanted defibrillator, or other implanted metallic or
 electronic device or high-frequency surgical equipment. (contraindication for TENS
 units)

 3. Pregnant (contraindication for TENS unit)

 4. Current diagnosis of epilepsy, dementia, or other neurological disease that may
 prevent use of VR hardware or software

 5. Hypersensitivity to flashing light or motion

 6. Injury to the eyes, face, neck, or arms that prevents comfortable use of VR hardware
 or software, or safe use of other study hardware (e.g., open sores, wounds, or skin
 rash on face)