Qld team develops burns therapy device

A team of Queensland researchers has developed a technology that reduces anxiety and distress during the treatment of burns and may act as a supplement for the use of sedatives for young children.

The diversionary therapy technology has been developed by the Australasian CRC for Interaction Design (ACID), in partnership with the Brisbane Royal Children's Hospital, including $30,000 of Queensland government seed funding to get the product commercial ready.

"Augmented reality is a safe and useful supplement to drugs in relieving anxiety and pain during paediatric burns dressing changes," said Roy Kimble, the director of the Brisbane Royal Children's Hospital Burns Unit.

Combining digital medical and diversionary therapy, the technology can also be applicable in areas such as emergency medicine, oncology, radiology and dentistry.

Two prototypes of the technology have been developed and tested over the past three months through 48 trials with 35 children between the ages of 3-13 years who had their dressing removed, medicated and re-bandaged.

"The treatment of burns, particularly in young children, can be excruciating and drawn-out process for both the child and parents. Existing pain management methods are heavily reliant on drug intervention," Kimble said.

A digital storyboard has been developed for patients aged between 2-5 years, which can be operated by the child or the carer. Older patients use 3D goggles which they wear like glasses.

"The child directly interacts with the characters on-screen and become immersed in the Hospital Harry story, thereby distracting them from the clinical procedure," said Sam Bucolo, ACID research and development manager.

"In terms of pain scores it was statistically significantly different between those that had diversionary therapy in the first 10 minutes and those that didn't. The trials also showed the diversion reduced pulse and respiratory rates. After 20 minutes there was no significant difference, however the device is currently designed for a shorter duration and with better content we expect that the pain scores will be reduced for longer periods -- ideally 40 minutes," said Bucolo.

The second round of clinical trials, set to commence late 2005, will observe pain levels whilst reducing reliance on drug intervention and using the diversionary therapy.

"We have had a lot of interest because it is a different way of looking at medical procedures and which has captured the imagination. We have developed a business plan and are hoping to be at the commercialisation stage by mid next year," Bucolo said.