Phantom limb visualization in first-person perspective using a head-mounted display to treat Phantom Limb Pain (PLP)

Abstract

Phantom Limb Pain (PLP) is a seriously disabling condition faced by the majority of amputees. Ortiz-Catalan et al. introduced, in 2014 a novel medical treatment for PLP showing promising results in clinical studies. The Head Mounted Display (HMD) is an interesting interface to serve this novel treatment more efficiently and more broadly to a larger number of patients. HMDs have lately reached massmarket potential. This thesis looks into, and applies, HMD technology to the novel treatment for PLP. First, HMD technology and software libraries that allow the development of VR/AR experiences are analysed for their suitability for the novel treatment. Then, the implementation of the novel treatment for PLP utilizing HMD technology is described. Finally, computer graphical improvements are proposed to this initial implementation of the novel treatment for PLP utilizing HMD technology. To analyse HMD technology and the software libraries in the framework of this thesis, first, the requirements of the novel treatment utilizing HMD technology are elicited. This elicitation is performed by means of a review of the work by Ortiz-Catalan et al. as well as observing a treatment session. A number of hardware options are analysed in order to determine if they may be used in the medical field, if they bear additional requirements to that particular hardware option, and what software might be used to develop for that particular hardware option. A number of software options are analysed in order to determine if they may be used in the medical field, what might be achieved with them, and under which license they are published. Both hardware and software options are analysed by researching published material. The implementation is described by pointing out a number of interesting challenges faced during the implementation. The graphical improvements to the initial implementation of the novel treatment for PLP utilizing HMD technology are analysed by explaining how they may be implemented, how they may improve the embodiment illusion, and how they impact the performance. The outcome of the research shows that indeed HMD technology might be suitable to treat PLP by the novel treatment introduced by Ortiz-Catalan et al.