This episode covers the non-drug related treatments of chronic pain as well as my work over the last 3 years studying psychological informed virtual reality programs that can be self-administered by the patient in their home. It's a long episode because I cover not only chronic pain, but also remote clinical trials. Given my interest in psychiatry and my previous work, this episode does not focus as much on physical therapy as it does psychology-related treatments. However, several of the resources below pertain to physical therapy for chronic pain. In the discussion on remote trials I provide a few key takeaways for startups and researchers. 

Challenges facing chronic pain treatment

Workforce projections 2010–2020: annual supply and demand forecasting models for physical therapists across the United States

Pain psychology: A global needs assessment and national call to action

Relieving Pain in America: A Blueprint for Transforming Prevention, Care, Education, and Research

Nondrug based treatments

Noninvasive Nonpharmacological Treatment for Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review

Physical activity and exercise for chronic pain in adults: an overview of Cochrane Reviews

Psychological therapies for the management of chronic pain (excluding headache) in adults

Mind-Body Therapies for Opioid-Treated Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

My work in Chronic Pain

An 8-Week Self-Administered At-Home Behavioral Skills-Based Virtual Reality Program for Chronic Low Back Pain: Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial Conducted During COVID-19

Other VR papers

Virtual reality for acute and chronic pain management in adult patients: a narrative review

Virtual Reality in Pain Rehabilitation for Youth With Chronic Pain: Pilot Feasibility Study

Virtual Reality Augments Movement during Physical Therapy: A Pragmatic Randomized Trial

Embodiment in Virtual Reality for the Treatment of Chronic Low Back Pain: A Case Series

Virtual reality as an analgesic for acute and chronic pain in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Hypnosis Associated with 3D Immersive Virtual Reality Technology in the Management of Pain: A Review of the Literature

Virtual Reality as a Therapy Adjunct for Fear of Movement in Veterans With Chronic Pain: Single-Arm Feasibility Study

A Virtual Reality Game for Chronic Pain Management: A Randomized, Controlled Clinical Study

Can hypnosis and virtual reality reduce anxiety, pain and fatigue among patients who undergo cardiac surgery: a randomised controlled trial Protocol

Virtual reality distraction induces hypoalgesia in patients with chronic low back pain: a randomized controlled trial