Researchers are looking to conduct a study using AI, virtual reality (VR) and AI-generated voice cloning of a patient's living or deceased loved ones to personalize pain management therapy, according to a paper published in the Journal of Medical Extended Reality.
"AI-generated VR technology has the potential to modulate pain and enhance cognitive engagement through rapid design and personalization, and AI voice cloning uses familiar, multilingual voices to offer both neurological and psychological support," the researchers wrote.
They created prototype videos to demonstrate how combining personalized AI text with 3D-generated VR landscapes and AI-generated cloned voices could target the psychological and emotional aspects of chronic pain.
The technology uses personalized and AI-generated voices replicating a patient's living or deceased loved ones, aiming to create a more "personalized and human-like audio experience."
AI voice cloning technology replicates a person's words and "captures the unique pitch, tone and rhythm of a person's speech" to create a lifelike speech synthesis.
Researchers say the AI-generated voice can influence oxytocin pathways to alleviate pain and anxiety and improve the analgesic effect in chronic pain patients.
"Evidence indicates that a familiar voice, particularly one from a loved one, can activate cerebral regions associated with social safety and emotional regulation, such as the auditory cortex, amygdala, medial prefrontal cortex, and posterior cingulate cortex," the researchers wrote.
"This network's activation extends to the periaqueductal gray, a crucial area for pain modulation, which suggests that familiar voices can significantly impact pain perception and provide relief in a way that feels emotionally supportive and safe."
Patients can also personalize their AI/VR environments through AI text to 3-dimensional (3D) content creations.
Researchers state the technology can enhance therapy effectiveness through visuotactile stimulation, emotional support, visuomotor stimulation and cognitive distraction.
Next steps include conducting a feasibility study and clinical trials to validate the technology's effectiveness across cultural and healthcare settings.
THE LARGER TREND
Researchers noted limitations, stating, "It is important to note that incorporating cloned voices from both living and deceased individuals raises substantial ethical considerations. These include the rights individuals hold over their likenesses and the necessity for protective measures to ensure that this technology is used responsibly, particularly in sensitive contexts like healthcare."
They wrote that while AI voice cloning presents new opportunities within healthcare, "it is essential to prioritize ethical frameworks and identity rights to ensure the protection of all involved."