VR-PAT and fNIRS to Identify CNS Biomarkers of Pain

The objective of this study is to develop central nervous system (CNS) biomarkers of pain experience during inpatient pediatric (age 6-17 years) burn dressing changes and pain relief induced by virtual reality (VR). We plan to use innovative functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to identify and quantify the targeted CNS biomarkers. The ultimate goal of this project is to optimize the CNS biomarkers for predicting and/or monitoring response to VR-based pain reduction approaches for pain management in clinical trials. We will collaborate through a team science model to recruit n=4 pediatric burn injury subjects to address the following three specific aims: Aim 1: To quantify the central nervous system (CNS) responses associated with self-reported pain intensity during a standard clinical procedure (burn dressing changes). Aim 2: To assess brain response patterns to virtual reality (VR)-based interventions for pain management. Aim 3: To assess the degree to which objective brain measures and brain responses to VR intervention modulate objective brain markers of pain.