VR and Pain Distraction: Harnessing the Power of Immersion for Comfort
Introduction
More and more people are interested in using virtual reality interventions (VR) as a non-medicinal alternative to pain management. Virtual reality (VR) involves putting the user in a computer-generated, 3D interactive environment by engaging the user’s visual, auditory, or sometimes tactile senses.
Using VR as a distraction therapy can help reduce pain and anxiety by providing a sense of presence. The idea of using VR to help distract patients from pain is not new, but recent advances in technology have made this more feasible and effective. This innovative approach is revolutionizing the way healthcare professionals treat pain by providing a non-invasive, drug-free solution.
How it works?
The concept behind this cutting-edge approach is simple. Virtual reality (VR) technology places patients in a whole new world, taking their focus off the pain they’re feeling. When the brain is immersed in the virtual world, it has less ability to process pain information. This technique, also known as distraction therapy, is effective in treating acute pain as well as chronic pain.
How is pain managed at present?
Pain has a major impact on health and well-being. Long-term pain can lead to significant psychological distress. People in pain suffer from stress, anxiety and depression. It is estimated that 20% of people in the world live with chronic pain, and 17% of people with chronic pain have experienced severe pain.
Pain management has traditionally relied on medication, especially opioids, or invasive interventions, like nerve blocks and epidural injections. Each of these treatments has its risks and benefits. The opioid overdose crisis has highlighted the need for noninvasive, complementary and alternative methods to treat pain, whether acute or chronic.
Various painful conditions where VR found its utility
Virtual reality (VR) was first used for pain management in burn patients and has since proven to be effective as a pain management modality in a variety of areas, including surgery and procedures, wound care and phantom limb, headache, spinal injury and cancer.
Virtual environments began as simple computer-generated graphics in laboratory studies looking at the impact of evoked pain, and have since expanded to include a wide range of interactive games, realistic relaxation spaces, meditation, hypnotherapy, mindfulness, and pain education. With the rapid development of VR environments and technology, there is no shortage of potential pain management interventions.
Studies on VR in pain management
Research to evaluate the efficacy of virtual reality (VR) for pain has been conducted through systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials (RCT) and crossover studies. The 27 combined studies evaluated the use of VR to manage pain, both acute and chronic, and included both interactive and non-interactive virtual environments. Each study employed either one visual analogue (VAR), colour analogue (CAA), graphic rating, or numerical or functional pain assessment scale to measure efficacy. The average size of the sample size was 40, and 18 of the 27 studies reported significant reductions in pain. The majority of the studies involved younger civilian patient populations, with only seven of the 27 studies involving patients aged 65 and over. It is yet to be determined whether VR is effective in the elderly population
Conclusion
Virtual Reality (VR) holds immense potential as a powerful tool for pain distraction and comfort enhancement. Its immersive experiences can effectively divert attention away from discomfort, offering relief and improving overall well-being. As VR technology continues to advance, its role in healthcare and pain management is poised to become even more significant.AR VR solutions offers a comprehensive formula for effective pain management with this latest technology.