Investigating Virtual Reality for Pain Management: An Interview with Walter Greenleaf, PhD

Walter Greenleaf, PhD, is a neuroscientist and medical technology developer at Stanford University. With over thirty-five years of experience in medical research and product development, he is a leading authority in digital medicine and the clinical application of virtual reality technology.

Walter has developed systems that address a wide range of conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorders, stroke, addictions, autism spectrum disorder, depression, neurodegenerative diseases, traumatic brain injury, neurorehabilitation, and other complex challenges in healthcare.

He serves as an advisor to the Stanford Virtual Human Interaction Lab, the Stanford Wearable Electronics Program, and the Virtual Reality & Immersive Technology Clinic at Stanford. Walter was the founding Chief Science Officer for Pear Therapeutics and currently holds the position of Chief Science Officer at Interaxon. In addition to his research at Stanford University, he is a technology and neuroscience advisor for several medical product development companies and investment groups.

Associate Professor Tasha Stanton leads the Persistent Pain Research Group at the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) and is co-Director of IIMPACT in Health at The University of South Australia, Adelaide. She is a clinical pain neuroscientist, with original training as a physiotherapist. Her research group works closely with consumers and with clinicians to identify real-world problems and devise new solutions. She has a specific interest in chronic pain, osteoarthritis, pain science education, and novel technologies, such as virtual and mediated reality, to enhance exercise engagement.