Easing the pain with VR technology
A TOWNSVILLE man living with leukaemia hopes to use the power of virtual reality to help ease the nerves and anxiety of children in hospital.
Damien Thompson, 34, and his parents Bob and Debbie are finalists in the Research Australia Health and Medical Research Awards for helping launch a trial exploring the health benefits of virtual reality for young hospital patients.
Mr Thompson and his parents established the Chimera Legacy Foundation after Mr Thompson was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia at 23 years of age.
After receiving a bonemarrow transplant he developed graft-versus-host disease, and has since required a double lung transplant and replacement of both hips.
It was during his long and stressful stays in hospital that Mr Thompson would bring along his VR headset to take his mind off everyday life.
“I’ve had to manage a lot of pain and stress over the year, and a lot of things that I tried weren’t working very well,” he said.
“I had to do something, so I looked into further technologies and that’s when I tried using the virtual reality equipment.
“I found it really helped me. It reduced a lot of my stress, and other patients started wanting to have a go.
“They also really enjoyed it and said their minds were taken off the pain and stress.”
From there, Mr Thompson made it his goal for child patients to have access to VR sets, and he’s been making big strides.
His Chimera foundation recently hosted a VR program for children at the bone marrow transplant unit at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, using VR to help overcome treatment anxiety.
The trials made such an impression it led to Mr Thompson’s efforts being recognised by Research Australia, who nominated him and his parents in the advocate category for the health and
medical research awards.
The incredible work has also resulted in Mr Thompson winning the Queensland Community Foundation’s emerging philanthropist of
the year award.
“Damien and his family have shown tremendous energy and imagination in their advocacy of medical research, most recently focusing on
how we can improve the hospital experience of severely ill children,” Research Australia CEO Nadia Levin said. “We are thrilled to recognise the Thompsons’ dedication to
medical research in our health and medical research awards and look forward to seeing Chimera continue to achieve great things for patients.”
Mr Thompson hopes he can made big changes in the medical world.
‘I’m trying to influence people to start adopting this (VR) technology, and we are at the forefront,” he said