Virtual reality as a distraction technique in chronic pain patients

Abstract

We explored the use of virtual reality distraction techniques for use as adjunctive therapy to treat chronic pain. Virtual environments were specifically created to provide pleasant and engaging experiences where patients navigated on their own through rich and varied simulated worlds. Real-time physiological monitoring was used as a guide to determine the effectiveness and sustainability of this intervention. Human factors studies showed that virtual navigation is a safe and effective method for use with chronic pain patients. Chronic pain patients demonstrated significant relief in subjective ratings of pain that corresponded to objective measurements in peripheral, noninvasive physiological measures.

FIG. 1.

The scales of sense of being in the virtual reality (VR) simulated environment—Ease of use, Immersive, and Interactive effects on a scale from 1 to 7, where 7 represents the normal experience of being in a place. 1=“not at all,” 7=“very much.” VR environment was easy to use, interactive, immersive, and real.

FIG. 2.

The scales of sense of being in the VR—how real was VR versus the simulated environment, similarities between the simulated environment and the actual places patients visited, how focused on the tasks patients were during the simulated environment, on a scale from 1 to 7, where 7 represents the normal experience of being in a place. 1=“not at all,” 7=“very much.” VR was immersive and real.

FIG. 3.

Sickness exploration questionnaire scores in terms of general discomfort, fatigue, headache, eyestrain, and nausea, their mean scales are all <1.5, where the scales range from 0 to 3. 0=“Absent,” 3=“Severe.” No serious side effects were observed. It was determined that VR was indeed safe to use with this population.

FIG. 4.

Comparison of subjective pain ratings.

FIG. 5.

Comparison of objective pain ratings.

FIG. 6.

Comparison of reported pain intensity.

FIG. 7.

Comparison of heart rate.