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VR pain recovery

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Innovating injury recovery like never before

Managing chronic pain can be challenging, especially when traditional treatments have not been effective.

APM WorkCare offers a cutting-edge, VR-empowered pain recovery program aimed to enhance the wellbeing and productivity of those with chronic pain.

Our VR pain recovery program combines advanced neuroscience with the biology of recovery to create an immersive education program for people experiencing chronic pain.

Utilising technology developed in collaboration with Australia’s top pain science researchers and clinicians, this program helps participants understand the root causes of their pain and discover effective relief methods.

What we offer

Evidence-based techniques
Proven methods to support effective pain recovery.
Safe, non-invasive approach
Activities and educational content that are easy to understand and implement.
User-friendly program
Clearly demonstrated steps that encourage proactive participation in the recovery process.
Hands-on recovery
Empowering participants to take an active role in their own recovery journey.

How it works

Read a full transcript of this video.

Encouraging the mind to think differently about pain

  1. Personalised consultations: An APM WorkCare consultant visits the participant’s home weekly for six weeks.
  2. Engaging VR sessions: Each session includes up to two VR modules, each lasting up to eight minutes, which can be completed sitting or standing.
  3. Progress reviews: During each visit, the consultant and participant review the program and how the intervention suits their specific health and recovery goals.
  4. Comprehensive assessments: Pre and post-assessments are conducted to review outcomes, progress towards goals and provide planning for the future.

Program components

Education modules

Equip participants with a deep understanding of their pain and the principles of neuroplasticity. This is combined with psychosocial risk management and education.

Movement modules

Participants utilise neuroscience techniques to enhance graded movement and loading.

Neurological modules

Retrain participants’ perceptions of pain by altering sensory inputs during movement, helping to create and consolidate pain-reducing neural pathways.

These modules are part of a clinically proven management approach that can significantly improve pain and disability outcomes, increasing the likelihood of full recovery for participants with chronic pain.

Who is the VR pain recovery program suited to?

  • Individuals with persistent pain for more than 12 weeks
  • Individuals that are working less than 15 hours per week
  • Individuals with identified psychosocial risk factors
  • Individuals who are unable to undertake Activities of Daily Living tasks independently
  • Individuals who have been prescribed opioid medications
  • Individuals who have undergone repeat imaging scans, such as CT, MRI

FAQs

Virtual reality is the use of computer technology to create simulated environments. It uses a headset that slips over the participant’s head and eyes, and controllers for their hands to interact with the environment.

The consultant will explain each step of the program which is usually a one-hour appointment for six weeks.


The participant will engage with one or two virtual reality modules, each lasting up to eight minutes in every session.


The rest of the session is spent with the consultant discussing the content and creating forward actions to support recovery.

Pain is complex – our work has come a long way with understanding how pain works.


Using technology to show rather than tell, is important, as research shows the better people understand their pain the easier it will be to work with and improve the pain experience. Which helps to effectively promote recovery.

Yes. The focus will be on education and re-training neural pathways.


We will ensure any movement is within a personal safe zone – enough to trigger a positive change but not enough to flare up.


This might involve very minor movements depending on the participant’s personal safe zone.

Loose, comfortable clothing, flat shoes will be helpful to maximise comfort.

Ideally an area two metres by two metres, however we can work with less than this.

The findings are clear

Since the launch of our VR-empowered Pain Recovery Program in November 2022, we have recorded the following average improvements in outcome measures for cases that have reached conclusion.

In order to record the experiences of participants and gather data on the program's efficacy, participants complete an extensive questionnaire both before and after they complete the VR Pain Recovery Program.

30% reduction in maximum pain scores
18% improvement in PSEQ scores
(Confidence in being able to deal with pain)
14% improvement in APMiQ scores
(Psychosocial risks/barriers to recovery)
38% improvement in the hours worked per week
(From commencement to finalisation of the program)

We are very pleased to note, participants have demonstrated increased awareness of healthy pain education and been able to increase their engagement in routine activities whilst working with their pain symptoms.

There have also been extremely positive outcomes where individuals are able to complete Activities of Daily Living tasks independently and regain a capacity for integration in work.

Figures are for informational purposes only. APM WorkCare cannot guarantee that all participants in the program will experience these beneficial outcomes.

How to improve outcomes further

The average time between injury and referral of these participants was 13.2 years.

While these scores show improvement, we expect the outcomes would significantly improve if there was a reduction in the delay between injury date and referral date.

The earlier someone receives professional medical care for an injury, the better the outcome.

Trial our VR program

Do you know someone you believe could benefit from our VR Pain Recovery Program?

Discover how our trial process works.

Learn more

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