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Channel 7 News Report

Medical Marvel; The Virtual Reality Program Helping
Melbourne Burns Victims Breakthrough The Pain Barrier.

Newsreader introduction
A new breakthrough technology is allowing burns patients to beat the pain barrier. They have become the first to test a technique that soothes their pain and doctors are reporting amazing results.

Reporter: Emma Power (seven news)
"Darren Clarke knows all about pain. He suffered severe burns in an industrial accident a week ago whena container holding up to 300 litres of boiling wax exploded. Excrutiating dailly dressing changes are crucial to his recovery."

Dr Alex Konstantatos, Specialist Anaesthetist. The Alfred hospital
"A lot of people find it extremely hard to cope, even with medications like morphine, administered in very large doses."

Reporter: Emma Power (seven news)
"Darren is now part of a two year trial of a new technique to break through the pain barrier. This virtual reality device with DVD player showing soothing images helps to lull patients into deep relaxation." Sample of hypnosis program and imagery is played.

"During an initial six week trial of this device patients were asked to rate their pain levels. Their charts showed an average 30% reduction in pain."

Darren Clarke - burns patient
"I could still feel that people were working in the area (injuries), but is was pretty good. I think I've had one Panadol this morning when, generally I'd be on morphine." "When the nurse was dressing my feet, it was just like a pin really and other times (without Virtual Reality Hypnosis™) it was like 'touch it and I'm going to jump'."

Reporter: Emma Power (seven news)
"While this trial is focusing only on burns patients, doctors say these techniques can be used by any patient experiencing chronic pain.

Darren Clarke - burns patient
"Anything that improves pain is good, isn't it?"

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