Project overview
Visio is an innovative application designed to revolutionize chronic pain management. Our project aims to address three key challenges: limited access to effective pain management tools, inadequate pain communication methods, and underutilization of technology in this field. By leveraging evidence-based cognitive behavioral therapy, visualization techniques, and cutting-edge virtual reality technology, Visio offers a holistic solution that bridges the gap between traditional treatments and innovative technology.
Project goals
Our goals include providing accessible, scientifically supported resources, enabling more effective pain communication through personalized visualizations, and offering relief through guided relaxation techniques. Ultimately, Visio strives to improve pain perception, coping strategies, and overall well-being for individuals living with chronic pain, bridging the gap between traditional treatments and innovative technological solutions.
Research & Discovery
points of research
Communicating the feelings associated with chronic pain to family and healthcare professionals often presents a challenge.
I delved into the challenge of pain communication, recognizing the universal yet deeply personal nature of pain experiences. This research informed our approach to personalized pain visualization, enabling users to better articulate their experiences to loved ones and healthcare providers.
Patients often tend to seek supplemental methods in conjunction to medication due to worries about drug dependency and possible side effects.
I explored holistic pain management methods in response to patients' concerns about medication dependency and side effects. This research led to the incorporation of evidence-based, non-pharmaceutical interventions in our app, such as CBT and guided relaxation techniques.
To validate our research findings, we conducted a comprehensive user survey designed to gain deeper insights into pain experiences.
Our goal was to understand users' perspectives on pain communication challenges, their approaches to visualizing pain, and their openness to holistic pain management strategies. By directly engaging with potential users, we sought to ground our design decisions in real-world experiences and validate the core assumptions driving the Visio application.
cognitive behavioral therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is the most common psychological intervention for individuals with chronic pain. CBT-based interventions result in clinically significant (>50%) improvement for both long and short-term pain. The provision of online CBT training to chronic pain patients are helpful since it is easily accessible and involves no time or space limitations.
Goals for Pain Management
To reduce pain and physiological distress and to improve physical and role function by helping individuals decrease maladaptive behaviors, increase adaptive behaviors, identify and correct maladaptive thoughts and beliefs, and increase self-efficacy for pain management.
Core Teaching
How we perceive our pain can worsen or improve our pain levels. By perceiving our pain in a negative way, for example thinking that we are always going to be in pain, we are reinforcing the pain pathways in our brain.
Therapy Exercies
Techniques often used for pain include relaxation training, setting and working toward behavioral goals, behavioral activities, guidance in activity pacing, problem-solving training, and cognitive restructuring.
Visualization
How it Works
Visualization works to reduce pain by activating the body’s natural relaxation response by helping a person focus away from their pain. When a person visualizes a soothing or calming scene or image, it can help relax their muscles and lower their heart rate, blood pressure, and stress levels.
Through repetition, the visualization exercises cause a conditioning effect. This means that positive physical changes will be present whenever the patient chooses to view them.
By practicing biofeedback and learning to regulate your nervous system, you will begin to feel less stressed and less pain.
Support for Visualization
Empowering users to visually monitor and rate their pain over time can facilitate effective communication of their physical condition to others, in ways that verbal description cannot.
Visualization and guided imagery are proven techniques for both short and long-term pain relief
virtual reality
The Evolving Market for Virtual Reality
In 2022 the VR Market size was estimated at nearly 60 billion dollars with over 10.8 million VR devices sold.
There are an estimated 17 million VR users, and 13% of US households have at least 1 pair of headsets.
43% of US users have their own VR headset, 31% of users borrowed a VR headset from a friend and 24% accessed a VR device at an event or in a store.
Those with VR headsets tend to use it monthly.
Support for VR
Virtual Reality has been clinically proven to an effective supplemental method of chronic pain management. Allowing users the ability to participate in an engaging but physically relaxing immersive experience can help temporarily distract users from their pain.)
Color theory
user research
Our user research strategy encompassed two distinct demographics: a broad audience with general pain experiences, and a focused group of chronic pain sufferers. We employed a multi-faceted approach, distributing surveys across diverse networks including personal connections, academic circles, and online communities such as Reddit. Our survey received 51 responses over a 2-week period.
Chronic & Acute Pain
52% claimed to have experienced some type of chronic pain
83% of 31 respondents did not experience chronic pain but did experience some form of acute pain (generally shorter lasting pain) and needed help with managing it.
On average respondents were unsure about their ability to communicate their pain properly to others
Pain Management Methods
72% used physical therapy to combat pain
41% have tried yoga
15% used some form of tracking (journaling, app, etc)
6% practiced guided imagery
43% were interested in CBT as a form of treatment with additional 25% wanting to know more
30% want to use VR to alleviate pain with an additional 41% interested in trying it
Psychology of Pain Color
60% would like to use a HR monitor/ breathing tool to help understand body functionality
80% of users did not use any methods of tracking pain however users expressed journaling to be one of their favorite features in other applications
66% of respondents were interested in breathing regularity for understanding bodily function
“It would be great if pain could be reduced without people injecting so much medication and medication being the first choice for pain management.”
“I feel like including a pointy star shape would also be helpful (like the shape of “pow” graphics in comics)”
“Even when the pain is bad, I have found that concentrating on something else usually helps”
Target Audience
Our target audience encompassed individuals aged 18 and above who experienced chronic or acute pain and were open to supplementary pain management methods. While Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) could be effective for younger age groups, our focus remained on adults due to the higher prevalence of chronic pain in this demographic. Our research indicated that chronic pain rates increased significantly with age, ranging from 8.5% in the 18-24 age group to 34.3% in those 85 and older. For the VR component of our solution, we targeted chronic pain sufferers who had access to VR technology, which added an additional layer to our user profile.
visio's place in the market
Visio will simultaneously exist in the mobile and VR reality market. Until Visio, there is no product that creates a virtual reality experience that displays their pain, adjusting in real time to their own heartbeat. The mobile application is the first to incorporate Cognitive Behavioral therapy, additional physical resources for improving pain, and the augmented reality version of their VR experience.
Competitive Advantage
1. Allows users to utilize visualization and guided imagery techniques through VR
2. Helps users identify possible flare ups or irregularities from food and drug intake
3. Provides users with better tools to communicate their pain to others
4. Research backed information on CBT training, stress reduction, and physical treatments (yoga, physical therapy, etc.)
Design process
Screenshot of Miro user flow that I created
Our color palette was developed by informed research on colors that are associated with comfort, healing, and peaceful interactions. Soft and light hues dominate the core of our brand, while more saturated versions of the same colors are strategically used for highlights and subtle emphasis. This deliberate choice aims to evoke a sense of tranquility and positive engagement throughout our brand experience, setting up the environment of people managing their pain.
iteration & Testing
During the testing and iteration phase, I leveraged Figma's mobile application for hands-on usability testing, allowing me to interact directly with the prototype on my device. This approach was particularly crucial for Visio's mobile application, which featured extensive text areas for CBT lessons. The mobile testing environment enabled me to fine-tune text sizes for optimal legibility and refine navigation flows to enhance accessibility.
Given the academic nature of the project, external user testing was not feasible. To compensate, I sought diverse perspectives from classmates and our professor. I also benchmarked my designs against industry design systems to ensure intuitive user adoption. The iterative process, driven by personal insights and professional critiques, was instrumental in elevating the project's overall user experience.
Screenshot of whiteboxing
Screenshot of mid-fidelity Body screens
Screenshot of high-fidelity Body screens
final solution
Pain Visualization
Daily Questionnaire
Visio's core feature is a daily questionnaire, designed to inform the AR/VR pain visualization. Users input their current pain levels, location, and sensations, which directly influence the size, shape, and color of their personalized pain representation. This data, combined with initial onboarding information about their pain perception, allows Visio to generate a unique visual depiction of their pain experience.
In the VR space, we implemented real-time responsiveness to the user's heart rate. As their heart rate fluctuates, the pain visualization adapts accordingly, shrinking or calming as the user's physiological state changes. While time constraints prevented full integration, our vision includes seamless interoperability between the mobile and VR platforms. Users could potentially start their session in either environment, with data and visualizations transferring seamlessly between devices.
This approach not only provides a new way for users to externalize and understand their pain but also offers healthcare providers a more tangible means of assessing and tracking a patient's pain experience over time.
Virtual Reality Pain Visualizations
Above are examples of the pain visualizations that could be experienced. Like any other VR space, the user would have the ability to look around at the visualization in front of them.
Aggressive Pain Visualization
This video showcases how the pain waves are more sporadic in size and and movement. As the user's heart rate is elevated, the rise and fall of the visualization will match.
Calmed Pain Visualization
As the user's heart rate calms, the same pain visualization will slow down and the size of pain waves will decrease.
If future development of the virtual reality space could continue, there would be further refinement of the imagery and pain visualization. For example, we would want the boundary lines to be much thinner so the pain visualization itself is much more prominent. Additionally, as the user describes their own pain, the shapes of the pain visualization could change i.e. waves, pulsating balls, more variance in individual shape size, etc.
home page
The home page serves as the central hub of Visio, offering a comprehensive overview of the user's pain journey. At the top, intuitive navigation allows users to review historical pain data and visualizations across various time frames, from daily to yearly views. A prominent GIF displays the most recent pain visualization, which, when tapped, launches an immersive AR experience.
Below this, a detailed pain log presents the user's current pain location, intensity, and any additional health metrics they've chosen to track. Recognizing the diverse needs of chronic pain management, we've implemented a customizable tracking system. Users can tailor their log to include relevant fields such as medication usage, exercise routines, work-related physical activities, dietary habits, and travel – empowering them to identify potential pain triggers and patterns in their daily lives.
trends page
The trends page offers a comprehensive visual representation of the user's pain management journey over time. It aggregates data from various aspects of the application, including pain visualization usage, CBT therapy engagement, physical activity, and custom health metrics. This feature's primary objective is to illuminate correlations between different coping strategies and pain intensity levels.
Users can apply filters to compare specific categories, such as CBT therapy engagement against pain intensity, enabling them to discern patterns and effectiveness of various interventions. While we acknowledge that complete pain eradication may not be feasible for all chronic conditions, our focus is on highlighting even minor improvements in pain management. This approach not only motivates users by visualizing their progress but also aids in identifying potential pain triggers and patterns, empowering users to make informed decisions about their pain management strategies.
Mind Page
The Mind page is the cornerstone of our cognitive behavioral pain therapy approach, featuring a comprehensive twelve-lesson plan. This curriculum elucidates the principles of CBT and their specific application to chronic pain management, guiding users through practical implementation strategies. To enhance engagement and accommodate diverse learning preferences, we've incorporated visual elements throughout the lessons and offered an audio alternative for each module.
Understanding the importance of user convenience, we've implemented a progress-saving feature, allowing users to seamlessly resume their learning journey from where they last left off. Additionally, the page includes a journaling component, offering both prompted and free-form options. This feature encourages users to document their pain experiences, emotional states, and any other pertinent reflections, fostering self-awareness and providing valuable insights for both the user and potentially their healthcare providers.
body Page
impact & results
Visio was selected as one of three undergraduate projects to present their research at the fall PVFA Research Symposium. The positive reception of Visio at the Research Symposium was a testament to its potential impact, with attendees asking, “how long until you get this on the market?” Although not selected as the top project, several judges privately expressed their support for Visio. This experience reinforced the value of our work and its potential to address real-world needs.
Personally, I found that developing coping mechanisms for chronic pain management had unexpected benefits, proving useful in managing everyday stress. This project reinforced my belief in the power of purposeful design to create meaningful impact, which in turn fueled my motivation to excel.
This project marked my second venture into mobile application design using Figma, allowing me to significantly enhance my skills from previous work on Inform. I implemented more advanced components and interactions, streamlined my workflow, and improved my proficiency in the design process. The use of components and styles notably enhanced the app's overall consistency, representing a clear progression in my design capabilities
my part
Throughout this project, I embraced a multifaceted role that showcased my adaptability and leadership skills. As the sole designer of the mobile application, I navigated unexpected challenges by leveraging extensive research to inform my design decisions. This experience honed my ability to make confident, research-backed choices that addressed market gaps and user pain points.
My collaborative spirit shone through in my interactions with team members. While I regularly consulted with my co-lead on the Inform aspect, I learned to foster productive discussions on design implementations with Cristina on the VR interface, enabling consistency across our platforms.
Although not officially designated as project manager, I naturally assumed leadership responsibilities. I took the initiative in preparing presentation slides for milestones, facilitating class discussions, and setting weekly productivity goals. My ability to articulate our design rationale proved invaluable during presentations to industry professionals and at research symposiums.
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