Validating the use of pain psychology therapy delivered through Virtual Reality in healthy adults without acute or chronic pain

Name: VR-delivered pain therapy Participants in the intervention arm will receive 2 x 30 min modules of pain therapy delivered by virtual reality hardware. The pain therapy program is self contained and consists of 2 modules (1) progressive muscle relaxation and (2) guided pain visualisation. Each module takes a maximum of 30 minutes duration. Participants will be asked to undertake both therapies consecutively, with a 10 minute rest break. The VR session will occur in the UNSW simulation laboratory at Liverpool Hospital. Each participant will be allocated one session, lasting 70 minutes long. Each participant will undergo their session individually. The pain therapy program is interactive and video-based. It is delivered using voice-overs and virtual avatars, who teach each therapy using step-by-step exercises reinforced with graphical information. Participants interact with these avatars using their hand-motion controllers. The interaction between the participant and the VR-delivered pain therapy does not require external intervention from a researcher. However, the view experienced by the participant is projected onto an external TV. This will be monitored by a researcher who can intervene if necessary. In order to monitor adherence to the intervention, a session attendance checklist will be administered, and follow-up emails will be sent to all participants.