PROJECT HEAVEN: Preoperative training in virtual reality

Abstract

A cephalosomatic anastomosis (CSA; also called HEAVEN: head anastomosis venture) has been proposed as an option for patients with neurological impairments, such as spinal cord injury (SCI), and terminal medical illnesses, for which medicine is currently powerless. Protocols to prepare a patient for life after CSA do not currently exist. However, methods used in conventional neurorehabilitation can be used as a reference for developing preparatory training. Studies on virtual reality (VR) technologies have documented VR's ability to enhance rehabilitation and improve the quality of recovery in patients with neurological disabilities. VR-augmented rehabilitation resulted in increased motivation towards performing functional training and improved the biopsychosocial state of patients. In addition, VR experiences coupled with haptic feedback promote neuroplasticity, resulting in the recovery of motor functions in neurologically-impaired individuals. To prepare the recipient psychologically for life after CSA, the development of VR experiences paired with haptic feedback is proposed. This proposal aims to innovate techniques in conventional neurorehabilitation to implement preoperative psychological training for the recipient of HEAVEN. Recipient's familiarity to body movements will prevent unexpected psychological reactions from occurring after the HEAVEN procedure.

Virtual Reality Technology in Complex Medical Rehabilitation of Patients with Disabilities (Review)

“…VR technologies use interactive simulation with VR headsets or glasses, projectors and sensor gloves. Moreover, there is multisensory stimulation (visual, auditory or haptic) in different variants: passive (watching videos) or active (the user manipulates the image of his own body -"avatar" or specific objects within the virtual scenario) using feedback from the computer calculating the results of user actions [12][13][14][15][16]. Multisensory training reviews in the virtual environment for physical rehabilitation was proposed by Australian physiotherapists Carr and Shepherd in 1982 [17].…”

HEAVEN in the Making: Between the Rock (the Academe) and a Hard Case (a Head Transplant)

“…that is now from "another" in our procedure creates a scale of adaptation not previously encountered.Accordingly, in order to familiarize the patient to a new body, HEAVEN will exploit immersive virtual reality (IVR) over the months preceding and following the actual surgery, so that the subject can grow used to the new body (Iamsakul et al 2017). IVR can be combined with hypnosis, to enhance the adaptation process (e.g., Wiederhold et al 2014).…”

Personal Identity and Head Transplant: A Psychological Analysis

“…Interestingly, an attempt to address this issue is the proposal of an augmented virtual reality training for the body-recipient prior the surgery, which should prevent the triggering of dysfunctional behaviors and psychological burden that could rise from experiencing a foreign body (Iamsakul et al 2017). Even if these kinds of techniques are conventional and effective in neurorehabilitation for neurological injuries, as well as for prosthetic limb implant, dealing with a body completely new in size, shape, and even sex and age may not be just a matter of some sessions of training and can be overwhelming for the individual identity in any case.…”