HRI Member Leading Innovation in Chronic Pain Management

Clinical Nurse Specialist Anna Marie Kiernan, a member of the Health Research Institute (HRI), is pioneering the use of virtual reality to support chronic pain treatment at Croom Orthopaedic Hospital. Her work was recently featured in the Irish Examiner, highlighting its impact on patient care.

Anna Marie works with patients experiencing neuropathic pain, including those undergoing chemotherapy, living with diabetes, recovering from shingles, or managing chronic regional pain syndrome.

She uses Qutenza, a highly concentrated capsaicin patch derived from chilli pepper, which temporarily retracts nerve endings and can provide relief for up to 12 weeks. While the application can feel hot or uncomfortable, many patients experience significant long‑term benefit.

By integrating virtual reality during this procedure, Anna Marie and the team at Croom are improving patient comfort and advancing person‑centred care.

Read the feature in the Irish Examiner:
https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/munster/arid-41773598.html