Laura L. McGhee
Papers
1
Total Citations
203
H-Index
1
About
Dr. Laura L. McGhee is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of virtual reality and clinical pain management, with a primary focus on treating combat-related trauma. Her landmark 2011 study, "Virtual Reality Pain Control During Burn Wound Debridement of Combat-Related Burn Injuries Using Robot-Like Arm Mounted VR Goggles," is the first controlled investigation to demonstrate that immersive VR can significantly reduce the excruciating pain experienced by soldiers during burn wound care. This work, cited over 200 times, established a new paradigm for non-pharmacological analgesia in military medicine. Dr. McGhee’s contributions extend beyond proof-of-concept; she has advanced the engineering of VR hardware for clinical settings, including the development of robot-like arm-mounted goggles that allow for hands-free, sterile use during procedures. Her research has directly influenced protocols for treating burn victims in both military and civilian hospitals, offering a powerful alternative to opioid-based pain relief. By merging immersive technology with compassionate care, Dr. McGhee has not only alleviated suffering for some of the most severely injured patients but also opened new frontiers in rehabilitation and psychological resilience for trauma survivors.
Research Focus
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Top Papers
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