Immersive Virtual Reality with Bio-Feedback for Diaphragmatic Breathing Therapy

Project Summary The goal of the phase I SBIR project proposed by My Music MachinesIncDBA JamboxxIncis to create an electronic gaming device for diaphragmatic breathingaka deep breathinginstruction for physical therapyusing wearable sensors synched to an immersive virtual realityVRvideo game that can be played on a smartphone device with a VR headsetThe game will guide users through the proper breathing technique while providing biofeedback to optimize their performanceThe device intends to help engage patients with lower back pain in an otherwise monotonous therapy techniquewhile helping them to relaxand ensuring that they are performing the technique properly when they are not under the observation of a physical therapistBreath therapy has been shown to be an effective non pharmacological approach to the treatment of chronic lower back pain and a variety of other musculoskeletal imbalancesRecent studies have found VR to be an effective method to manage pain and distress during medical proceduresacting as a non pharmacological form of analgesia and resulting in reduction in opioid dosingWith the current opioid crisis in the United Statesthere is a recognized need for the development and implementation of non pharmacological pain management and pain reduction therapies like this that can be prescribed as a first course of treatmentThe long term goal of the proposed project is to create the first virtual reality gaming device for breathing therapy for the treatment of lower back painTo do thisJamboxxInchas partnered with DrJason Gagon PTDPTCSCShead of Albany Medical Center s outpatient physical therapy programIn phase Ia series of two wearable sensors that can be positioned on the users abdomen and chest will be prototyped and programmed to communicate with a smartphone deviceA corresponding smartphone app will be created that contains a VR setting and games to guide users through the proper diaphragmatic breathing technique while providing audio and visual feedbackThe hardware and associated games will be play tested throughout development to determine usabilityuser engagementand entertainment valueFinally the device will be pilot tested with lower back pain patients undergoing physical therapy at an outpatient clinic under the guidance of a therapist to determine usabilityand the ability of the device to properly teach the diaphragmatic breathing technique to this patient populationSuccessful completion of Phase I will result in the development of a tested and validated VR system for the treatment of lower back pain that is ready for clinical trial in Phase IISince the limitations of this targeted solicitation prohibit the testing of clinical outcomes in Phase Ithe team will not attempt to determine whether the device is capable of reducing back painbut simply to determine if it is successful in teaching the diaphragmatic breathing technique to this patient populationThese early results will be used to demonstrate device feasibilityand will inform the process for developing a clinical trial to test efficacy in Phase II Project Narrative The overprescription of opioids for the treatment of chronic back pain is a major contributing factor to the growing opioid epidemic in the United StatesThough deep breathing exercises are recognized as an effective non pharmacological approach for the treatment of back painthey are under prescribed due in part to the difficulty of getting patients to both adhere to their prescribed breathing therapy routines and accurately report their adherenceThe proposed project aims to address this issue with the development of a novel deep breathing training device that uses virtual reality with biofeedback to guide users through diaphragmatic breathing exercises in a relaxingimmersive setting while tracking their performance