Effectiveness of Virtual Reality-Based Interventions for Managing Chronic Pain on Pain Reduction, Anxiety, Depression and Mood: A Systematic Review

Wong, Kapo; Tse, Mun Yee Mimi; Qin, Jing

doi:10.3390/healthcare10102047

Cited by 16 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 73 publications

(65 reference statements)

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“…Additionally, virtual reality simulations of natural environments present a promising avenue, where 360-degree videos of blue/green spaces significantly alleviated pain and anxiety in hospitalized patients (White et al, 2018 ). Virtual reality, particularly when paired with psychotherapeutic methods, has shown effectiveness in chronic pain management (Bilika et al, 2023 ; Wong et al, 2022 ), offering an accessible treatment option for RA patients unable to interact with natural settings directly. The findings advocate for further investigation into nature-based, resilience-building interventions for RA management.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A survey exploring the nexus of psychological traits, nature connection, and quality of life among patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Eng Hui,

Ooi,

Chow

et al. 2024

Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A survey exploring the nexus of psychological traits, nature connection, and quality of life among patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Eng Hui,

Ooi,

Chow

et al. 2024

Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine

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“…Wong et al conclude that immersive VR interventions have a higher potential than non-immersive applications to overcome the sensation of pain due to the higher input of sensory information ( 40 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Virtual reality in managing Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS): a scoping review

Arcos-Holzinger,

Biebl,

Storz

et al. 2023

Front. Neurol.

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BackgroundComplex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a severe pain disorder that does not yet have a specific treatment. Patients with CRPS not only suffer from a wide range of symptoms that affect their quality of life but also present psychological affections to the way they see their body and specifically their affected limb. Virtual Reality (VR) modalities have become a targeted treatment for chronic pain and in the case of CRPS, may be a valuable approach to the mechanisms that affect these patients.ObjectivesUsing the PRISMA Scoping Review guidelines, we intend to uncover the key information from the studies available about VR modalities in the treatment of CRPS. We focus on the improvement of pain levels, body perception disturbances (BPD), and limb movement/daily function.ResultsOur search strategy resulted in 217 articles from PubMed. Twenty were assessed for eligibility and seven were included in the final qualitative synthesis. Of these seven articles, we included a clinical trial, three pilot studies, a blinded randomized controlled trial, a crossover double-blind trial, and a randomized controlled trial. These studies provide important subjective patient findings, along with some statistically significant results in the experiences of VR therapies modulating pain, BPD, and improving limb movement/daily function. However, not all the studies included statistical analysis, and there are contradicting data found from some patients that did not perceive any improvement from VR therapies.ConclusionsWe describe the results found in 7 articles that focus on the treatment of CRPS with VR modalities. Overall, the articles have various limitations, but the strategies related to immersive virtual reality, cardiac signaling, body switching and limb modulation have shown the most promising results for pain reduction and BPD improvement. These strategies reflect on pathophysiological mechanisms that are hypothesized to be affected in CRPS patients leading to the chronic pain and BPD that they experience. Not much evidence was found for improvement in limb movement and daily function. This review is a pathway for future studies on this topic and a more extensive data synthesis when more information is available.

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“…Several systematic reviews highlight that VR can improve pain intensity, kinesiophobia, mobility, functional capacity, neuropsychological outcomes, quality of life, and physical sensations [11][12][13][29][30][31]. Other systematic reviews outline that VR is not effective for people with chronic pain but is effective for those with acute pain [10,30,32].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of Virtual Reality in Interdisciplinary Multimodal Pain Treatment With Insights From Health Care Professionals and Patients: Action Research Study

Ummels,

Cnockaert,

Timmers

et al. 2023

JMIR Rehabil Assist Technol

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Background Chronic pain is a widespread global health problem. Interdisciplinary multimodal pain treatment (IMPT) is a treatment option for people with chronic pain. Virtual reality (VR) could be used to broaden IMPT programs. However, despite the advantages of VR, it is rarely used in daily clinical practice. Objective This research aimed to explore how, when, and with whom VR can be used meaningfully during IMPT, either as an addition or substitution as a component of IMPT. Methods This research used an action research design to help health care professionals and patients learn how, when, and with whom they can use VR. Data were collected through reflection sessions with health care professionals and semistructured interviews with patients in 2 specialized centers that provide IMPT for chronic pain. Two researchers performed direct content analyses. Results In total, 4 physiotherapists, 1 occupational therapist, 3 psychologists, and 22 patients participated in this research. Three iteration cycles, including 9 reflection sessions and 8 semistructured interviews, were performed. Both health care professionals and patients considered VR to be useful in therapy as an addition but not a substitution. VR was used as a diagnostic and intervention tool with all patients at the rehabilitation center or home. VR was used to gain insight into patients’ pain beliefs, cognitions, and irrational cognitions about additional damage and physical abilities. Considering VR as an intervention tool, the health care professionals had 3 goals: balancing relaxation and competition, grading activities, and exposure in vivo. Conclusions VR could be a valuable addition to IMPT for both patients with chronic pain and health care professionals. More research should be performed to assess the additional effects of VR on patients’ participation in daily life.

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Effectiveness of Virtual Reality-Based Interventions for Managing Chronic Pain on Pain Reduction, Anxiety, Depression and Mood: A Systematic Review

Cited by 16 publications

References 73 publications

A survey exploring the nexus of psychological traits, nature connection, and quality of life among patients with rheumatoid arthritis

A survey exploring the nexus of psychological traits, nature connection, and quality of life among patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Virtual reality in managing Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS): a scoping review

Use of Virtual Reality in Interdisciplinary Multimodal Pain Treatment With Insights From Health Care Professionals and Patients: Action Research Study

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