2023

Authors: Paraskevi Bilika, Natalia Karampatsou, Giorgos Stavrakakis, Achilleas Paliouras, Yannis Theodorakis, Nikolaos Strimpakos, Eleni Kapreli

This review aims to identify the use of virtual reality therapy in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. The search was conducted across four databases using descriptors related to virtual reality, physical exercises, and chronic musculoskeletal pain. Two reviewers examined study titles and abstracts for relevance, while a third author resolved any discrepancies. Data were extracted and summarized descriptively by three independent experts.

Clinical studies were evaluated using the PEDro scale to assess the effectiveness of virtual reality therapy in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. A total of 162 articles were retrieved from the databases. Following relevance criteria, nine articles were considered suitable for analysis, including six randomized clinical trials. The selected articles were categorized based on study characteristics, application of virtual reality exercises (including technologies and equipment used), physical exercises, outcome assessments, and effectiveness.

The findings suggest that virtual reality therapy shows promising results in reducing pain, improving physical dysfunctions, increasing range of motion, and enhancing treatment satisfaction in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain.

However, drawing conclusions regarding the superiority of virtual reality therapy over other treatment methods is challenging due to the limited number of available studies, heterogeneity in application protocols, and varying methodological quality. Further research is necessary for definitive conclusions.

Keywords: chronic pain; therapeutic exercise; musculoskeletal pain; virtual reality.

2022

Author: Simone Grassini

Abstract

Virtual reality (VR) is a rapidly evolving technology that has recently garnered attention among healthcare practitioners. VR systems have started to be used for managing pain symptoms. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of VR in treating chronic pain. A systematic literature search was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, using specific keywords to identify potentially relevant studies. The main objective was to assess the potential impact of virtual reality-based treatment on chronic pain, particularly in prevalent lower back and neck pain.

Nine randomized controlled trials were included in this study. VR-mediated interventions demonstrated significant improvement in pain symptoms among patients with chronic pain. Additionally, virtual reality therapy reduced pain intensity and disability in cases of chronic neck pain compared to control conditions.

However, interventions using virtual reality showed statistically insignificant improvements in chronic back pain when experimental groups were compared with control groups. The positive impact of VR therapy on chronic pain did not significantly differ from other pain treatment modalities such as physical exercises and laser therapy.

Taken together, these results indicate that current evidence regarding the influence of virtual reality therapy on chronic pain treatment, while suggesting potential therapeutic benefits of virtual reality-based interventions, is overall inconclusive. Further research on virtual reality therapy for chronic pain is necessary.

Keywords: back pain; chronic pain; neck pain; pain management; virtual reality.

2019

Authors: Naseem Ahmadpour, Hayden Randall, Harsham Choksi, Antony Gao, Christopher Vaughan, Philip Poronnik

Abstract

Virtual Reality (VR) is now available to a wide consumer base across various domains. In terms of medical application, several studies indicate that VR can be effective as an adjunct or alternative non-pharmacological analgesic in a range of painful procedures and in the treatment of chronic pain.

The increasing accessibility and quality of portable VR headsets, coupled with their usefulness in pain therapy, suggest prospects for VR in pain management.

However, to ascertain the long-term benefits of virtual reality, further research is needed to integrate it into mainstream pain management protocols. These studies require an array of investigations collecting patient reports and clinical data to tailor individual approaches for different patient groups.

Keywords: analgesia; pain; virtual reality.

2023

Authors: Simon Riches, Sarah L Nicholson, Carolina Fialho, Jordan Little, Lava Ahmed, Harley McIntosh, Ina Kaleva, Tom Sandford, Rebecca Cockburn, Clarissa Odoi, Lisa Azevedo, Ruxandra Vasile, James Payne-Gill, Helen L Fisher, Catheleine van Driel, Wim Veling, Lucia Valmaggia, Freya Rumball

Abstract

Individuals with acute mental disorders experience heightened stress associated with exacerbated symptoms and increased violence in psychiatric settings. Traditional stress management methods can be challenging for patients. Relaxation in virtual reality (VR) appears promising for stress reduction; however, research on VR application in psychiatric wards is limited.

This mixed-methods study explored the feasibility and acceptability of integrating VR relaxation into psychiatric ward routines. The study evaluated VR relaxation sessions for inpatients and outpatients with acute psychiatric conditions (N = 42) and the experiences of therapists (N = 6) facilitating VR sessions for patients. Patients completed self-assessment surveys on psychological well-being before and after VR relaxation. Patients and therapists provided qualitative feedback.

Incidents of violence and restrictive practices in patients were compared between the 12 weeks pre-implementation of VR and the initial 12 weeks of VR. After VR implementation, a statistically significant increase in relaxation, happiness, and nature connection was observed in patients, alongside decreased levels of stress, anxiety, and sadness. Qualitative findings indicated that patients found the sessions enjoyable, relaxing, and beneficial. Therapists offered positive feedback but highlighted practical challenges.

Incidents of violence and restrictive practices decreased by half during VR implementation. VR relaxation appears feasible and acceptable in emergency care settings. Larger studies are needed to assess the potential impact on psychiatric wards.

Keywords: Cyberpsychology; Digital Mental Health; Augmented Reality; Healthtech; Immersive Technologies; Inpatient; Internet Interventions; Mental Health; Mixed Methods; Outpatient; Personality Disorders; Psychological Interventions; Psychosis; Restrictive Practices; Stress Management; VR; Violence and Aggression; Virtual Environments; Well-being; XR.

Educational video about the use of virtual reality as an auxiliary tool in rehabilitation, based on the experience in Ukraine starting from the summer of 2022.

Author: Piotr Armianovski.
Camera: Oleksii Kivin.

Virtual reality isn’t just for gamers.

2013 р.

Michael Roy, MD, Col. (Ret.) talks about how using virtual reality to treat people with PTSD can be incredibly effective because it helps trigger recalls and stimulate the senses in ways that pure talk therapy cannot.