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. 2022 Mar 1;117(3):495-500.
doi: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000001641.

Qualitative Validation of a Novel VR Program for Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A VR1 Study

Brennan M R Spiegel  1   2 , Omer Liran  1   3 , Rebecca Gale  1 , Carine Khalil  1 , Katherine Makaroff  1 , Robert Chernoff  3 , Tiffany Raber  4 , Bianca Chang  2 , Nipaporn Pichetshote  2 , Ali Rezaie  2
Affiliations

Qualitative Validation of a Novel VR Program for Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A VR1 Study

Brennan M R Spiegel et al. Am J Gastroenterol. .

Abstract

Introduction: Although gut-directed psychotherapies are effective for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), they are rarely prescribed, given a paucity of trained clinicians. Virtual reality (VR) offers a solution by allowing patients to self-practice these techniques in a standardized manner.

Methods: A multidisciplinary team developed IBS/VR, a program that transports users into immersive VR worlds that teach patients about the brain-gut axis, cognitive behavioral therapy, and gut-directed meditation. We tested IBS/VR in Rome IV IBS patients and used inductive analysis to evaluate perceptions and identify recommendations.

Results: We achieved thematic saturation after 9 interviews; 3 additional interviews revealed no emergent themes. After making 23 software changes based on patient feedback, we conducted 3 additional interviews which confirmed thematic saturation (N = 15 total).

Discussion: This study offers initial validation of the first VR program designed for IBS.

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