The game targets disrupted brainwave activity in the thalamus, a central brain relay hub that often malfunctions in nerve pain sufferers
Australian researchers have developed a promising new brain-training game that may offer drug-free relief for people suffering from chronic nerve pain. The interactive tool, named PainWaive, was created by scientists at the University of New South Wales (UNSW). It uses real-time brainwave monitoring via a low-cost EEG headset, paired with a mobile game, to help users regulate abnormal neural activity associated with neuropathic pain. The aim is to retrain the brain without relying on medication like opioids.
In a recent trial, PainWaive delivered impressive results. Around 75% of participants reported a significant reduction in pain after using the system for four weeks. According to the research team, the level of relief was comparable to—or even greater than—that typically experienced with opioid treatment.
The game targets disrupted brainwave activity in the thalamus, a central brain relay hub that often malfunctions in nerve pain sufferers. Using strategies such as guided relaxation and positive mental imagery, users learn to adjust their brainwave patterns. “Participants felt empowered to manage their pain in their own environment. That’s a huge part of what makes this special,” said Dr Negin Hesam-Shariati from UNSW’s NeuroRecovery Research Hub.
The EEG headset, designed with affordability in mind, costs approximately $193.7 and is built from 3D-printed and open-source components. It uses wet electrodes to accurately read brain signals from the sensorimotor cortex, a region critical to pain perception. Professor Sylvia Gustin, who led the study, emphasized the accessibility of the system: “PainWaive is a potential game-changer, especially for people who don’t have easy access to specialist clinics or want to avoid medication side effects.”
The research, published in the Journal of Pain, sets the stage for larger clinical trials. Recruitment is currently underway for two expanded studies targeting chronic spinal pain and nerve damage from spinal cord injuries.
If successful, PainWaive could mark a shift toward non-invasive, home-based treatments for chronic pain—offering new hope for millions worldwide.
