Thesis Project Form

The project aims to develop an adaptive telemedicine platform for chronic pain management by integrating Virtual Reality (VR), Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), and real-time biofeedback using the Shimmer3 wearable device. The main goal is to adapt the immersive VR environment to the patient’s psychological and physiological state, creating a personalized therapeutic experience that enhances pain mitigation and engagement.

The traineeship focuses on the design, integration, and experimental validation of an immersive VR + TENS + biofeedback platform. Main activities include:
• Conducting a comprehensive literature review to define effective integration strategies for VR environments, TENS stimulation, and biofeedback metrics.
• Implementation in VR the elements found
• Implementing data acquisition protocols using Shimmer3 to continuously monitor physiological parameters (e.g., GSR, PPG, ECG).
• Evaluating the platform’s usability and user experience through the analysis of collected physiological data and feedback metrics.

The traineeship provides specialized knowledge in immersive digital health technologies, wearable physiological sensors, and adaptive biofeedback systems. Key learning outcomes include:
• Advanced skills in multi-sensor data processing and signal analysis (specifically using Shimmer3 hardware and software frameworks).
• Practical experience in experimental setup, human-computer interaction (HCI) usability protocols, and bio-signal-driven adaptive VR environments.
• Integration of technical development with clinical/psychological methodologies for chronic pain intervention, supported by continuous evaluation and supervisor feedback