Frequently asked questions
About Karuna
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Karuna means “compassion” in Sanskrit. At Karuna Labs, our goal is to provide compassionate solutions to patients suffering from chronic pain. Inspired by treating our own family members, Karuna uses state-of-the-art technology and personalized coaching to help patients retrain their brains and unlearn their pain.
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We treat chronic pain patients using a compassionate, integrative approach that fuses our revolutionary virtual reality technology (KVET™) with personalized coaching. Over the course of this 12 week at-home program, we help people suffering from a variety of chronic pain conditions unlearn their pain and get back to doing activities of daily living. The KVET program is 100% virtual, meaning you can complete sessions and activities from anywhere.
Learn more at www.karunahrp.com/how-it-works
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Karuna Labs Inc. has developed the Karuna Virtual Embodiment Training™ (KVET™) program to address the need for alternative, non-invasive, non-addictive methods to treat chronic pain. KVET™ uses a combination of virtual environments and avatars that provide visual feedback during chronic pain functional rehabilitation. Our key innovation is the application of virtual reality (VR) to improve patients’ willingness and ability to perform activities of daily living.
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Here’s a non-exhaustive list of centralized pain conditions we address (A - Z).
Centralized Pain
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) / Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD)
Dystonias
Failed Back Syndrome (FBSS)
Fibromyalgia
Frozen Shoulder
Low Back Pain
Phantom Limb Pain
Radiculopathy
Repetitive Strain Injuries
Sciatica
SI Joint Dysfunction
Spondylolisthesis
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
We address other chronic pain conditions as well. Contact us to learn more at www.karunahrp.com/contact
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Yes! You can find our published research and studies at http://karunalabs.com/research/
Program Structure
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Every kit includes a state-of-the-art wireless virtual reality headset pre-loaded with our proprietary KVET™ software and a patient workbook. Headsets must be returned at the end of the 12-week program, but the workbook is yours to keep.
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The patient workbook is yours to keep, but the KVET Virtual Reality Headset must be returned after program completion. You’ll receive a prepaid label (included in program cost) at the end of the program to return the VR headset to us.
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On average, patients spend a total of 2.5 to 3 hours per week on KVET during the 12 week program. Here’s how it breaks down:
Virtual Coaching Sessions: One (1) per week for 60 minutes
Workbook Lessons: One (1) per week for 30 minutes
Independent Activity Sessions using KVET VR software: Average three (3) per week for 20-30 minutes each
You’ll work directly with your coach to establish a schedule that works for you. All sessions (including coaching sessions) are completed from the comfort of your own home.
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Independent activity sessions using the KVET™ program last between 20 to 30 minutes each, depending on your specific needs. While daily usage is standard, our coaches typically recommend practicing a minimum of three (3) sessions per week.
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We currently offer 29 activities and we are developing new exercises all the time.
15 Movement Activities
14 Coaching Practices
Examples of virtual reality exercises that may be included in your tailored program based on your specific chronic pain condition or needs:
Gardening - squatting/bending to pick flowers
Playing Fetch - squatting/bending to pick up a ball and throw it to a dog
Unloading the Dishwasher - squatting/bending and using arms/shoulders to grab dishes from the dishwasher and put them into cabinets above
Vacuuming - squatting/bending, using arms, and twisting at varying angles to vacuum up stardust from the floor
Progressive Muscle Relaxation - focusing on mindfully relaxing muscles throughout your body
Breathing and Meditation Exercises - using breath work and meditation practices to relax
Note that this is not a comprehensive list. Activities and exercises will be recommended by your coach based on your specific condition and treatment needs.
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No. At this time we do not allow patients to use their own headsets. Our proprietary KVET™ software is only available pre-loaded on our rental headsets, which are already included in the total program cost.
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There are a number of factors that determine patient eligibility for Karuna Virtual Embodiment Training (KVET)™. Please contact us to determine eligibility.
Email Us: info@karunalabs.com
Call Us: (415) 894-0355
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KVET™ is safe, effective, and entirely drug-free, with no risk of drug interactions and no need for surgical intervention. We leverage proven, evidence-based neuroplastic pain treatment techniques and functional rehabilitation methods to develop our program and technology.
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Karuna Virtual Embodiment Training (KVET)™ uses the protocol for the Pain Reprocessing Therapy method. The pain reprocessing therapy data from the Boulder Back study includes:
A randomized controlled study at the University of Colorado Boulder validated Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) as the most effective current treatment for chronic pain. In the study, there were 100 chronic back pain patients. Half of them received PRT twice a week for four weeks, and half of them received treatment as usual. In the PRT group, 98% of patients improved and 66% of patients were pain-free or nearly pain-free at the end of treatment. These outcomes were largely maintained one year later.
Read more at: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/fullarticle/2784694
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No! Our 12-week program is 100% virtual, meaning you can complete coaching sessions and KVET™ activities from wherever is most comfortable and convenient for you.
Coaching
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No, we cannot guarantee a specific coach. All of our coaches are closely vetted and highly qualified in pain education and functional rehabilitation for neuroplastic pain conditions. Visit www.karunahrp.com/team to meet our team of pain coaches.
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All of our pain coaches are certified by the National Board of Health and Wellness Coaching (NBC-HWC). They specialize in behavior change and pain reprocessing therapy. Many have additional professional qualifications and personal experience with chronic pain. Our coaches are specifically chosen for their expertise, background, and ability to create personalized experiences and lasting results for our patients.
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We have a variety of coaches available and we can re-match with another coach if you’re not a good fit with your assigned coach.
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Yes! Coaching is an integral part of our program. Our coaches ensure the long term success of the program. Karuna pain coaches will educate you about the KVET™ software, provide essential tips and ways for you to better manage your chronic pain, and help with accountability in order to ensure you get the best results possible.
HIPAA/Privacy
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We use a HIPAA-compliant platform, Practice Better, for all messaging and communication with the clients. The meeting notes that the coach takes are recorded in Practice Better and shared within the platform with the client. If you would like no notes to be recorded in the platform we can do that. The notes that the coach takes are to help keep the track of the client’s progress and goals, but they do not need to be recorded electronically or shared if you prefer. All coaches have a confidentiality agreement with the client as well and are as follows:
"CONFIDENTIALITY
The Program Participant acknowledges the Coach will keep all information exchanged during the program sessions in strict confidence. Additionally, the Program Participant is aware that the Coach is prohibited from disclosing any protected healthcare information that may be disclosed to the Coach, except under written authorization by the Program Participant or in response to a duly authorized Court order. "
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Visit www.karunahrp.com/privacy to learn more.