VR For Pain Alleviation Medical Study

USC's Dermatology Department wanted to know whether VR could alleviate pain and anxiety for patients undergoing Mohs skin cancer procedures. The study was led by Dr. Ashley Wysong, a leading physician, surgeon, and researcher in the field. Springbok Cares, the 501(c)(3) I co-founded to bring immersive technology into healthcare, was the right partner to design and run the technology side.

Put patients in VR during the procedure itself — not before, not after — and measure whether it actually changed their discomfort and emotional distress. Anecdotes weren't the goal; data was.

Through Springbok Cares, I led program design and implementation, working closely alongside both Dr. Wysong's surgical and research departments.

We tailored the VR experience to the specific needs of Mohs patients and fit it into the procedural workflow without disrupting the surgery around it. Patients were guided through the experience during their treatment, and feedback was collected and analyzed to measure efficacy in reducing discomfort and emotional distress.

The findings were published in the Dermatology Medical Journal, adding peer-reviewed clinical evidence for VR's use in pain and anxiety reduction. For me the study captured the heart of Springbok Cares' mission: using technology to bring comfort, engagement, and better outcomes to patients who need them.