In 2001, Sharp and Harvey released a revolutionary paper studying the comorbidity of chronic pain and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (3). In this study they found that of the patients with chronic pain, 10 - 50% of them had PTSD, and in patients with a trauma disorder, 20 - 80% of them suffer from chronic pain. This study goes on to suggest seven factors contributing to their comorbidity. These factors can then contribute to a person suffering from both chronic pain and PTSD to get stuck in a cycle that worsens the symptoms of both.

Acupuncture

Chronic Pain

PTSD

My Project

Acupuncture is a form of Chinese medicine that has been around since at least 100 BCE. The main idea behind acupuncture is that the body is filled with energy and that energy can be shifted using all sorts of treatments including stimulating acupuncture points. One part of acupuncture is acupressure, a form of treatment in which pressure, rather than needles, is applied to acupuncture points. This knowledge will be used to create a wearable that can apply pressure to some of these points on the hand and wrist.

The expected result of this project is a wearable in the style of a wrist brace, which applies pressure triggered by a phone app. This pressure will be applied to acupuncture points that help relieve symptoms of PTSD and chronic pain. On the app, the user can set an amount of time for the pressure to be applied, and can choose a pressure pattern. The app will also be able to record when buttons are triggered so that the user can review that data and spot patterns in their symptoms.

Quell is a piece of wearable technology for people dealing with chronic pain in their feet, legs, or knees. It uses electrical nerve stimulation to block pain receptors. The physical device can connect to a phone app to control when it starts the electrical therapy and for how long each session is.

TECARE is a vest made for veterans with PTSD. It has different sensors to detect when the wearer feels anxiety and tracks it. This is a good product for tracking anxiety, however, it does nothing to help stop it.

This image is how I imagine the final wearable will be shaped. This is a good shape as it hits many acupuncture points on the hand and wrist, and since it wraps around the hand it stays in one place while being worn.

• start researching materials and acupuncture points
• start prototyping wearable
• add electronic components to wearable
• make second version of prototype with electronics ingrained
• start designing app and continue working on wearable
• make basic app and version three of prototype
• wrap everything up and create presentation

1. Brennstuhl, Marie-Jo, et al. “Chronic Pain and PTSD: Evolving Views on Their Comorbidity.” Perspectives in Psychiatric Care, vol. 51, no. 4, 2014, pp. 295–304., https://doi.org/10.1111/ppc.12093.
2. Scioli-Salter, Erica R., et al. “The Shared Neuroanatomy and Neurobiology of Comorbid Chronic Pain and PTSD.” The Clinical Journal of Pain, vol. 31, no. 4, 2015, pp. 363–374., https://doi.org/10.1097/ajp.0000000000000115.
3. Sharp, Timothy J, and Allison G Harvey. “Chronic Pain and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Mutual Maintenance?” Clinical Psychology Review, vol. 21, no. 6, 2001, pp. 857–877., https://doi.org/10.1016/s0272-7358(00)00071-4.