According to a technology, which is known as Mirage’, discovered by the University of Nottingham, arthritis can be effectively cured with the help of a visual illusion. The illusion gives an impression to the patients that their hand is being massaged. This proved to be a wonder for the patients as the pain in their joints decrease considerably.

This was discovered coincidentally at the university, when at the time of a community open day, invitees were called to experience a few body distortion illusions, which were utilized by the researchers in their daily research activities.

Researchers then invited 20 osteoarthritis old patients, who had pain in hands or fingers and were not taking any medicines for the same, to assess the technology. The outcome of the assessment was published in the journal Rheumatology. According to the outcome, 85% of the patients reported an average of 50% reduction in their pain.

At present, there is no permanent treatment for osteoarthritis, however, its symptoms can be diluted through drugs and physiotherapy. More than 1mn people, mostly above the age of 50 years, suffer from this disease.

This technology can prove to be a breakthrough in relieving pain of the patients suffering from arthritis. According to the researchers, this could be an initial stage towards development of new physiotherapeutic technique.