Researchers at UNSW Sydney have developed PainWaive, an interactive game utilizing EEG neurofeedback, showing promise as a non-pharmaceutical treatment for nerve pain. This technology aims to help users regulate their brainwave activity, potentially offering an at-home alternative to opioid-based treatments.
A pilot trial indicated significant pain reduction in most participants, comparable to or exceeding that of opioids. Participants used EEG headsets while playing the game, receiving real-time feedback based on their brainwave patterns. The study, led by Professor Sylvia Gustin and Dr. Negin Hesam-Shariati from UNSW Sydney's NeuroRecovery Research Hub, was recently published in the Journal of Pain.
Larger clinical trials are underway in 2025 to further assess PainWaive's effectiveness in reducing chronic spinal pain and treating neuropathic pain in individuals with spinal cord injuries. The game seeks to normalize irregular brain activity associated with neuropathic pain, with researchers focusing on affordable EEG headsets to improve accessibility to this innovative treatment.