The design of the headset also prioritizes user comfort and data integrity. It utilizes a saline-based wet electrode system, which provides superior signal quality compared to dry electrodes without the mess and inconvenience of the conductive gels typically used in hospital settings. The headset is specifically calibrated to target the sensorimotor cortex, ensuring that the neurofeedback is focused on the areas most relevant to pain processing. Professor Gustin emphasizes that the design process was highly collaborative: "We’ve worked closely with patients to ensure the headset is lightweight, comfortable, and user-friendly."
The ease of use was further demonstrated during the trial, as participants were able to master the system with minimal professional intervention. After only a few introductory sessions conducted via Zoom, the participants managed the treatment entirely on their own. Their data was automatically uploaded to a secure cloud, allowing the UNSW research team to monitor their progress remotely. This "telehealth" model of neurofeedback not only reduces the burden on patients but also opens up new possibilities for long-term, self-managed care.
"Participants felt empowered to manage their pain in their own environment," says Dr. Hesam-Shariati. "That’s a huge part of what makes this special." This sense of agency is often missing in traditional pain management, where patients can feel like passive recipients of medication. With PainWaive, the patient becomes an active participant in their own recovery, learning a skill that can be applied whenever symptoms flare up.
Looking ahead, the researchers are preparing to scale up their investigations with two major upcoming trials. The first, the Spinal Pain Trial, will investigate whether the PainWaive technology can effectively reduce chronic pain originating from the spine. The second, known as the StoPain Trial, will focus on a particularly challenging population: individuals living with chronic neuropathic pain resulting from a spinal cord injury.
The potential for this technology to provide a truly affordable and accessible solution for at-home pain management is a driving force for the team. For the millions of people worldwide who live with chronic nerve pain, the prospect of a low-cost, non-invasive, and drug-free treatment could be life-changing. By bridging the gap between advanced neuroscience and consumer-friendly technology, the PainWaive project is paving the way for a new era in pain medicine—one where the brain’s own plasticity is harnessed to heal itself.
The researchers are currently calling for individuals who suffer from chronic nerve pain or spinal pain to register their interest in the upcoming clinical trials. As the project moves into these larger, more robust phases of testing, the team at UNSW Sydney hopes to gather the definitive evidence needed to bring PainWaive to the broader public, offering a new sense of hope to those for whom traditional medicine has fallen short.
