Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Virtual Reality in Acute and Chronic Pain Medicine: An Updated Review

  • Alternative Treatments for Pain Medicine (C Robinson, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Pain and Headache Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

This review critically analyzes the recent literature on virtual reality’s (VR) use in acute and chronic pain management, offering insights into its efficacy, applications, and limitations.

Recent Findings

Recent studies, including meta-analyses and randomized controlled trials, have demonstrated VR’s effectiveness in reducing pain intensity in various acute pain scenarios, such as procedural/acute pain and in chronic pain conditions. The role of factors such as immersion and presence in enhancing VR’s efficacy has been emphasized. Further benefits have been identified in the use of VR for assessment as well as symptom gathering through conversational avatars. However, studies are limited, and strong conclusions will require further investigation.

Summary

VR is emerging as a promising non-pharmacological intervention in pain management for acute and chronic pain. However, its long-term efficacy, particularly in chronic pain management, remains an area requiring further research. Key findings highlight that VR programs vary in efficacy depending on the specificity of the origin of pain.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Reproduced with permission from AugMend Health

Similar content being viewed by others

Data Availability

No datasets were generated or analysed during the current study.

References

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance

  1. Raja SN, et al. The revised International Association for the Study of Pain definition of pain: concepts, challenges, and compromises. Pain. 2020;161(9):1976–82. https://doi.org/10.1097/J.PAIN.0000000000001939.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  2. Niraj G, Rowbotham DJ. Persistent postoperative pain: where are we now. Br. J. Anaesth. 2011;107(1):25–9. https://doi.org/10.1093/bja/aer116. Oxford University Press.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Kent ML, et al. The ACTTION-APS-AAPM Pain Taxonomy (AAAPT) multidimensional approach to classifying acute pain conditions. Pain Med. 2017;18(5):947–58. https://doi.org/10.1093/PM/PNX019.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  4. Baratta JL, Schwenk ES, Viscusi ER. Clinical consequences of inadequate pain relief. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2014;134:15S-21S. https://doi.org/10.1097/PRS.0000000000000681.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Gan TJ. Poorly controlled postoperative pain: prevalence, consequences, and prevention. J Pain Res. 2017;10:2287–98. https://doi.org/10.2147/JPR.S144066.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  6. Yamauchi N, et al. Chronic pain–induced neuronal plasticity in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis causes maladaptive anxiety. Sci Adv. 2022;8(17):5586. https://doi.org/10.1126/SCIADV.ABJ5586/SUPPL_FILE/SCIADV.ABJ5586_DATA_S1.ZIP.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Walters ET. Adaptive mechanisms driving maladaptive pain: how chronic ongoing activity in primary nociceptors can enhance evolutionary fitness after severe injury. Philos Trans R Soc B: Biol Sci. 2019;374(1785). https://doi.org/10.1098/RSTB.2019.0277.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. M. A. Thomas, “Pain management – the challenge. Ochsner J. 2003;5(2):15. Accessed 15 Jan 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3399329/.

  9. McGreevy K, Bottros MM, Raja SN. Preventing chronic pain following acute pain: risk factors, preventive strategies, and their efficacy. Eur J Pain Suppl. 2011;5(2):365–76. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eujps.2011.08.013.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  10. Erskine WA, Raine ER, Lindegger G. Assessment and management of chronic pain. Nurs Stand. 2019;69(10):621–5. https://doi.org/10.7748/NS.2019.E11395.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Penny KI, Purves AM, Smith BH, Chambers WA, Smith WC. Relationship between the chronic pain grade and measures of physical, social and psychological well-being. Pain. 1999;79(2–3):275–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0304-3959(98)00166-3.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Smith TJ, Hillner BE. The cost of pain. JAMA Netw Open. 2019;2(4):e191532–e191532. https://doi.org/10.1001/JAMANETWORKOPEN.2019.1532.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. O’Connell NE, Marston L, Spencer S, DeSouza LH, Wand BM. Non-invasive brain stimulation techniques for chronic pain. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018;4(4). https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD008208.PUB5.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  14. Chou R, et al. Nonpharmacologic therapies for low back pain: a systematic review for an American College of Physicians Clinical Practice Guideline. Ann Intern Med. 2017;166(7):493–505. https://doi.org/10.7326/M16-2459.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Yalamuru B, Weisbein J, Pearson ACS, Kandil ES. Minimally-invasive pain management techniques in palliative care. Ann Palliat Med. 2022;11(2):947–57. https://doi.org/10.21037/APM-20-2386.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Sadeghi Milani A, Cecil-Xavier A, Gupta A, Cecil J, Kennison S. A systematic review of human–computer interaction (HCI) research in medical and other engineering fields. Int J Hum Comput Interact. 2022. https://doi.org/10.1080/10447318.2022.2116530.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Sutherland IE. A head-mounted three dimensional display. In Proceedings of the December 9-11, 1968, Fall Joint Computer Conference, Part I (New York, NY, USA, 1968), AFIPS ’68 (Fall, part I), ACM, pp. 757–64.

  18. Yu P, et al. Quantitative influence and performance analysis of virtual reality laparoscopic surgical training system. BMC Med Educ. 2022;22(1):1–10. https://doi.org/10.1186/S12909-022-03150-Y/TABLES/4.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Laspro M, Groysman L, Verzella AN, Kimberly LL, Flores RL. The use of virtual reality in surgical training: implications for education, patient safety, and global health equity. Surgeries. 2023;4(4):635–46. https://doi.org/10.3390/SURGERIES4040061.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Ntakakis G, Plomariti C, Frantzidis C, Antoniou PE, Bamidis PD, Tsoulfas G. Exploring the use of virtual reality in surgical education. World J Transplant. 2023;13(2):36. https://doi.org/10.5500/WJT.V13.I2.36.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  21. Noble T, Boone L, El Helou A. The role of virtual reality as adjunctive therapy to spinal cord stimulation in chronic pain: a feasible concept? Frontiers in Pain Research. 2023;4:1094125. https://doi.org/10.3389/FPAIN.2023.1094125/BIBTEX.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  22. Yeo E, Chau B, Chi B, Ruckle DE, Ta P. virtual reality neurorehabilitation for mobility in spinal cord injury: a structured review. Innov Clin Neurosci. 2019;16(1–2):13. Accessed 15 Jan 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6450679/.

  23. Leemhuis E, Esposito RM, De Gennaro L, Pazzaglia M. Go virtual to get real: virtual reality as a resource for spinal cord treatment. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(4):1–10. https://doi.org/10.3390/IJERPH18041819.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Tokgöz P, Stampa S, Wähnert D, Vordemvenne T, Dockweiler C. Virtual reality in the rehabilitation of patients with injuries and diseases of upper extremities Healthcare. 2022;10:6. https://doi.org/10.3390/HEALTHCARE10061124.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Reilly CA, Greeley AB, Jevsevar DS, Gitajn IL. Virtual reality-based physical therapy for patients with lower extremity injuries: feasibility and acceptability. OTA International. 2021;4(2): e132. https://doi.org/10.1097/OI9.0000000000000132.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  26. Soltani M, et al. Virtual reality analgesia for burn joint flexibility: a randomized controlled trial. Rehabil Psychol. 2018;63(4):487–94. https://doi.org/10.1037/REP0000239.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  27. Wong MS, Spiegel BMR, Gregory KD. Virtual reality reduces pain in laboring women: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Perinatol. 2021;38(01):E167–72. https://doi.org/10.1055/S-0040-1708851.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Lahti S, Suominen A, Freeman R, Lähteenoja T, Humphris G. Virtual reality relaxation to decrease dental anxiety: immediate effect randomized clinical trial. JDR Clin Trans Res. 2020;5(4):312–8. https://doi.org/10.1177/2380084420901679.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Spiegel BM. Virtual medicine: how virtual reality is easing pain, calming nerves and improving health. Med J Aust. 2018;209(6):245–7. https://doi.org/10.5694/mja17.00540.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Zhao J, Riecke BE, Kelly JW, Stefanucci J, Klippel A. Editorial: Human spatial perception, cognition, and behaviour in extended reality. Front Virtual Real. 2023;4:1257230. https://doi.org/10.3389/FRVIR.2023.1257230/BIBTEX.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Ahmadpour N, Randall H, Choksi H, Gao A, Vaughan C, Poronnik P. Virtual reality interventions for acute and chronic pain management. Int J Biochem Cell Biol. 2019;114: 105568. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BIOCEL.2019.105568.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Austin PD. The analgesic effects of virtual reality for people with chronic pain: a scoping review. Pain Med. 2022;23(1):105–21. https://doi.org/10.1093/PM/PNAB217.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Li J, et al. The analgesic effects and neural oscillatory mechanisms of virtual reality scenes based on distraction and mindfulness strategies in human volunteers. Br J Anaesth. 2023;131(6):1082–92. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BJA.2023.09.001.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Wong MS, Spiegel BMR, Gregory KD. Virtual reality reduces pain in laboring women: a randomized controlled trial. Am. J. Perinatol. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0040-1708851. Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Deng X, Jian C, Yang Q, Jiang N, Huang Z, Zhao S. The analgesic effect of different interactive modes of virtual reality: a prospective functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) study. Front Neurosci. 2022;16:1033155. https://doi.org/10.3389/FNINS.2022.1033155/BIBTEX.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  36. Darnall BD, Krishnamurthy P, Tsuei J, Minor JD. Self-administered skills-based virtual reality intervention for chronic pain: randomized controlled pilot study. JMIR Form Res. 2020;4(7): e17293. https://doi.org/10.2196/17293.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  37. Bordeleau M, Stamenkovic A, Tardif PA, Thomas J. The use of virtual reality in back pain rehabilitation: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Pain. 2022;23(2):175–95. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JPAIN.2021.08.001.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Bilika P, et al. Virtual reality-based exercise therapy for patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain: a scoping review. Healthcare (Basel). 2023;11(7). https://doi.org/10.3390/HEALTHCARE11172412.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Hadjiat Y, Marchand S. Virtual reality and the mediation of acute and chronic pain in adult and pediatric populations: research developments. Frontiers in Pain Research. 2022;3: 840921. https://doi.org/10.3389/FPAIN.2022.840921/BIBTEX.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  40. Gustin SM, et al. Cortical mechanisms underlying immersive interactive virtual walking treatment for amelioration of neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury: findings from a preliminary investigation of thalamic inhibitory function. J Clin Med. 2023;12(17):5743. https://doi.org/10.3390/JCM12175743.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  41. Faraj MM, et al. A virtual reality meditative intervention modulates pain and the pain neuromatrix in patients with opioid use disorder. Pain Med. 2021;22(11):2739–53. https://doi.org/10.1093/PM/PNAB162.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Li A, Montaño Z, Chen VJ, Gold JI. Virtual reality and pain management: current trends and future directions. Pain Manag. 2011;1(2):147–57. https://doi.org/10.2217/pmt.10.15.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Patterson DR, Jensen MP, Wiechman SA, Sharar SR. Virtual reality hypnosis for pain associated with recovery from physical trauma. Int J Clin Exp Hypn. 2010;58(3):288–300. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207141003760595.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  44. Marchand S, Hadjiat Y. Virtual reality and the mediation of acute and chronic pain in adult and pediatric populations: research developments. Front. Pain Res(Lausanne, Switzerland). 2022. https://doi.org/10.3389/FPAIN.2022.840921.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Gür EY, Apay SE. The effect of cognitive behavioral techniques using virtual reality on birth pain: a randomized controlled trial. Midwifery. 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2020.102856.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Baradwan S, et al. The impact of virtual reality on pain management during normal labor: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Sex Reprod Healthc. 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.SRHC.2022.100720.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Carus EG, Albayrak N, Bildirici HM, Ozmen SG. Immersive virtual reality on childbirth experience for women: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2022;22(1):1–8. https://doi.org/10.1186/S12884-022-04598-Y/TABLES/1.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  48. Momenyan N, Safaei AA, Hantoushzadeh S. Immersive virtual reality analgesia in un-medicated laboring women (during stage 1 and 2): a randomized controlled trial. Clin Exp Obstet Gynecol. 2021;48(1):110–6. https://doi.org/10.31083/j.ceog.2021.01.2116.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. Goldman RD, Behboudi A. Virtual reality for intravenous placement in the emergency department-a randomized controlled trial. Eur J Pediatr. 2021;180(3):725–31. https://doi.org/10.1007/S00431-020-03771-9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Butt M, et al. Take-Pause: efficacy of mindfulness-based virtual reality as an intervention in the pediatric emergency department. Acad Emerg Med. 2022;29(3):270–7. https://doi.org/10.1111/ACEM.14412.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Yıldırım BG, Gerçeker GÖ. The effect of virtual reality and buzzy on first insertion success, procedure-related fear, anxiety, and pain in children during intravenous insertion in the pediatric emergency unit: a randomized controlled trial. J Emerg Nurs. 2023;49(1):62–74. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JEN.2022.09.018.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Gold JI, SooHoo M, Laikin AM, Lane AS, Klein MJ. Effect of an immersive virtual reality intervention on pain and anxiety associated with peripheral intravenous catheter placement in the pediatric setting: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(8):e2122569. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.22569.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  53. Wong CL, Choi KC. Effects of an immersive virtual reality intervention on pain and anxiety among pediatric patients undergoing venipuncture: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6(2):e230001. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.0001.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  54. Taylor JS, et al. Small surgeries, big smiles: using virtual reality to reduce the need for sedation or general anesthesia during minor surgical procedures. Pediatr Surg Int. 2021;37(10):1437–45. https://doi.org/10.1007/S00383-021-04955-6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Turbyne C, de Koning P, Smit D, Denys D. Affective and physiological responses during acute pain in virtual reality: the effect of first-person versus third-person perspective. Front Virtual Real. 2021;2: 694511. https://doi.org/10.3389/FRVIR.2021.694511/BIBTEX.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  56. • Lier EJ, De Vries M, Steggink EM, Ten Broek RPG, Van Goor H. Effect modifiers of virtual reality in pain management: a systematic review and meta-regression analysis. Pain. 2023;164(8):1658–65. https://doi.org/10.1097/J.PAIN.0000000000002883. This systematic review and meta-analysis by Lier et al. evaluates the effect of virtual reality on pain management. The study includes 122 randomized controlled trials with 9138 patients, focusing on identifying effect modifiers related to VR interventions, patient characteristics, and pain types. The review finds that VR significantly reduces pain across various conditions, with notable differences in effectiveness based on the type of pain, patient age, and VR intervention specifics.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  57. Hoag JA, Karst J, Bingen K, Palou-Torres A, Yan K. Distracting through procedural pain and distress using virtual reality and guided imagery in pediatric, adolescent, and young adult patients: randomized controlled trial. J Med Internet Res. 2022. https://doi.org/10.2196/30260.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  58. Gao Y, Wang N, Liu N. Effectiveness of virtual reality in reducing preoperative anxiety in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Adv Nurs. 2023;79(10):3678–90. https://doi.org/10.1111/JAN.15743.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  59. Wang S, Lim SH, Aloweni FBAB. Virtual reality interventions and the outcome measures of adult patients in acute care settings undergoing surgical procedures: an integrative review. J Adv Nurs. 2022;78(3):645–65. https://doi.org/10.1111/JAN.15065.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  60. Roxburgh T, et al. Virtual reality for sedation during atrial fibrillation ablation in clinical practice: observational study. J Med Internet Res. 2021;23(5). https://doi.org/10.2196/26349.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  61. Deo N, et al. Virtual reality for acute pain in outpatient hysteroscopy: a randomised controlled trial. BJOG. 2021;128(1):87–95. https://doi.org/10.1111/1471-0528.16377.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  62. Peng L, Zeng Y, Wu Y, Si H, Shen B. Virtual reality-based rehabilitation in patients following total knee arthroplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Chin Med J (Engl). 2022;135(2):153. https://doi.org/10.1097/CM9.0000000000001847.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  63. Peuchot H, Khakha R, Riera V, Ollivier M, Argenson JN. Intraoperative virtual reality distraction in TKA under spinal anesthesia: a preliminary study. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2021;141(12):2323–8. https://doi.org/10.1007/S00402-021-04065-X.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  64. Indovina P, Barone D, Gallo L, Chirico A, De Pietro G, Giordano A. Virtual reality as a distraction intervention to relieve pain and distress during medical procedures: a comprehensive literature review. Clin J Pain. 2018;34(9):858–77. https://doi.org/10.1097/AJP.0000000000000599.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  65. Ding L, et al. Effects of virtual reality on relieving postoperative pain in surgical patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Surg. 2020;82:87–94. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.IJSU.2020.08.033.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  66. Ding J, et al. Virtual reality distraction decreases pain during daily dressing changes following haemorrhoid surgery. J Int Med Res. 2019;47(9):4380. https://doi.org/10.1177/0300060519857862.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  67. Norouzkhani N, et al. Effect of virtual reality-based interventions on pain during wound care in burn patients; a systematic review and meta-analysis. Arch Acad Emerg Med. 2022;10(1):84. https://doi.org/10.22037/AAEM.V10I1.1756.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  68. Zheng L, Liu H. Virtual reality distraction, a novel tool for pain alleviation during dressing change following surgical drainage of perianal abscess at Day Treatment Centre. Digit Health. 2023. https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076231155675.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  69. Zhao N, et al. Virtual reality in managing dental pain and anxiety: a comprehensive review. Front Med (Lausanne). 2023. https://doi.org/10.3389/FMED.2023.1285142/BIBTEX.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  70. Ran L, Zhao N, Fan L, Zhou P, Zhang C, Yu C. Application of virtual reality on non-drug behavioral management of short-term dental procedure in children. Trials. 2021;22(1):562. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-021-05540-x.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  71. Almugait M, AbuMostafa A. Comparison between the analgesic effectiveness and patients’ preference for virtual reality vs. topical anesthesia gel during the administration of local anesthesia in adult dental patients: a randomized clinical study. Sci Rep. 2021;11(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/S41598-021-03093-2.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  72. Zaidman L, et al. Distraction with virtual reality goggles in paediatric dental treatment: a randomised controlled trial. Int Dent J. 2023;73(1):108–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.identj.2022.06.003.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  73. Chan E, Foster S, Sambell R, Leong P. Clinical efficacy of virtual reality for acute procedural pain management: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2018;13(7). https://doi.org/10.1371/JOURNAL.PONE.0200987.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  74. Chuan A, Zhou JJ, Hou RM, Stevens CJ, Bogdanovych A. Virtual reality for acute and chronic pain management in adult patients: a narrative review. Anaesthesia. 2021;76(5):695–704. https://doi.org/10.1111/ANAE.15202.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  75. Viderman D, Tapinova K, Dossov M, Seitenov S, Abdildin YG. Virtual reality for pain management: an umbrella review. Front Med (Lausanne). 2023. https://doi.org/10.3389/FMED.2023.1203670/BIBTEX.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  76. Rawlins CR, Veigulis Z, Hebert C, Curtin C, Osborne TF. Effect of immersive virtual reality on pain and anxiety at a Veterans Affairs health care facility. Front Virtual Real. 2021. https://doi.org/10.3389/frvir.2021.719681.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  77. Hernandez R, et al. Mindfulness-based virtual reality intervention in hemodialysis patients: a pilot study on end-user perceptions and safety. Kidney360. 2021;2(3):435–44. https://doi.org/10.34067/KID.0005522020.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  78. Virtual reality distraction during arteriovenous fistula puncture - full text view - ClinicalTrials.gov. Accessed 16 Jan 2024. [Online]. Available: https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05399199.

  79. Goudman L, et al. Virtual reality applications in chronic pain management: systematic review and meta-analysis. JMIR Serious Games. 2022;10(2). https://doi.org/10.2196/34402.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  80. Ferreira ML, et al. Global, regional, and national burden of low back pain, 1990–2020, its attributable risk factors, and projections to 2050: a systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. Lancet Rheumatol. 2023;5(6):e316–29. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2665-9913(23)00098-X.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  81. Maddox T, et al. In-home virtual reality program for chronic lower back pain: a randomized sham-controlled effectiveness trial in a clinically severe and diverse sample. Mayo Clinic Proceedings: Digital Health. 2023;1(4):563–73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mcpdig.2023.09.003.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  82. Garcia LM, et al. An 8-week self-administered at-home behavioral skills-based virtual reality program for chronic low back pain: double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial conducted during COVID-19. J Med Internet Res. 2021;23(2). https://doi.org/10.2196/26292.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  83. Eccleston C, et al. A prospective, double-blind, pilot, randomized, controlled trial of an ‘embodied’ virtual reality intervention for adults with low back pain. Pain. 2022;163(9):1700–15. https://doi.org/10.1097/J.PAIN.0000000000002617.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  84. Yalfani A, Abedi M, Raeisi Z. Effects of an 8-week virtual reality training program on pain, fall risk, and quality of life in elderly women with chronic low back pain: double-blind randomized clinical trial. Games Health J. 2022;11(2):85–92. https://doi.org/10.1089/G4H.2021.0175.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  85. Groenveld TD, et al. Effect of a behavioral therapy-based virtual reality application on quality of life in chronic low back pain. Clin J Pain. 2023;39(6):278–85. https://doi.org/10.1097/AJP.0000000000001110.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  86. Ye G, Koh RGL, Jaiswal K, Soomal H, Kumbhare D. The use of virtual reality in the rehabilitation of chronic nonspecific neck pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin J Pain. 2023;39(9):491–500. https://doi.org/10.1097/AJP.0000000000001134.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  87. Cetin H, Kose N, Oge HK. Virtual reality and motor control exercises to treat chronic neck pain: a randomized controlled trial. Musculoskelet Sci Pract. 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.MSKSP.2022.102636.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  88. Tejera DM, et al. Effects of virtual reality versus exercise on pain, functional, somatosensory and psychosocial outcomes in patients with non-specific chronic neck pain: a randomized clinical trial. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020;17(16):1–19. https://doi.org/10.3390/IJERPH17165950.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  89. Trost Z, et al. Immersive interactive virtual walking reduces neuropathic pain in spinal cord injury: findings from a preliminary investigation of feasibility and clinical efficacy. Pain. 2022;163(2):350–61. https://doi.org/10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002348.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  90. Austin PD, et al. The short-term effects of head-mounted virtual-reality on neuropathic pain intensity in people with spinal cord injury pain: a randomised cross-over pilot study. Spinal Cord. 2021;59(7):738–46. https://doi.org/10.1038/S41393-020-00569-2.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  91. Tran Y, et al. An exploratory EEG analysis on the effects of virtual reality in people with neuropathic pain following spinal cord injury. Sensors (Basel). 2022;22(7). https://doi.org/10.3390/S22072629.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  92. Moradi M, Parker M, Sneddon A, Lopez V, Ellwood D. Impact of endometriosis on women’s lives: a qualitative study. BMC Womens Health. 2014;14(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6874-14-123.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  93. Culley L, et al. The social and psychological impact of endometriosis on women’s lives: a critical narrative review. Hum Reprod Update. 2013;19(6):625–39. https://doi.org/10.1093/HUMUPD/DMT027.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  94. Rea T, Giampaolino P, Simeone S, Pucciarelli G, Alvaro R, Guillari A. Living with endometriosis: a phenomenological study. Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being. 2020. https://doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2020.1822621.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  95. Carlyle D, Khader T, Lam D, Vadivelu N, Shiwlochan D, Yonghee C. Endometriosis pain management: a review. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2020;24(9):1–9. https://doi.org/10.1007/S11916-020-00884-6/METRICS.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  96. Merlot R, et al. Pain reduction with an immersive digital therapeutic tool in women living with endometriosis-related pelvic pain: randomized controlled trial. J Med Internet Res. 2022;24(9). https://doi.org/10.2196/39531.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  97. Merlot B, et al. Pain reduction with an immersive digital therapeutic in women living with endometriosis-related pelvic pain: at-home self-administered randomized controlled trial. J Med Internet Res. 2023. https://doi.org/10.2196/47869.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  98. Breivik H, et al. Cancer-related pain: a pan-European survey of prevalence, treatment, and patient attitudes. Ann Oncol. 2009;20(8):1420–33. https://doi.org/10.1093/ANNONC/MDP001.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  99. Ramirez MF, Rangel FP, Cata JP. Perioperative pain, analgesics and cancer-related outcomes: where do we stand? Pain Manag. 2022;12(2):229–42. https://doi.org/10.2217/PMT-2021-0070.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  100. Smith V, et al. The effectiveness of virtual reality in managing acute pain and anxiety for medical inpatients: systematic review. J Med Internet Res. 2020;22(11): e17980. https://doi.org/10.2196/17980.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  101. Addab S, Hamdy R, Thorstad K, Le May S, Tsimicalis A. Use of virtual reality in managing paediatric procedural pain and anxiety: an integrative literature review. J Clin Nurs. 2022;31(21–22):3032–59. https://doi.org/10.1111/JOCN.16217.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  102. Hundert AS, et al. A pilot randomized controlled trial of virtual reality distraction to reduce procedural pain during subcutaneous port access in children and adolescents with cancer. Clin J Pain. 2021;38(3):189–96. https://doi.org/10.1097/AJP.0000000000001017.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  103. Le Du K, et al. A new option for pain prevention using a therapeutic virtual reality solution for bone marrow biopsy (REVEH Trial): open-label, randomized, multicenter, phase 3 study. J Med Internet Res. 2023. https://doi.org/10.2196/38619.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  104. Burrai F, Ortu S, Marinucci M, De Marinis MG, Piredda M. Effectiveness of immersive virtual reality in people with cancer undergoing antiblastic therapy: a randomized controlled trial. Semin Oncol Nurs. 2023;39(4). https://doi.org/10.1016/J.SONCN.2023.151470.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  105. Schrempf MC, et al. A randomised pilot trial of virtual reality-based relaxation for enhancement of perioperative well-being, mood and quality of life. Sci Rep |. 2023. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-16270-8.

    Article  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  106. Park HY, Nam KE, Lim JY, Yeo SM, Lee JI, Hwang JH. Real-time interactive digital health care system for postoperative breast cancer patients: a randomized controlled trial. Telemed J E Health. 2023;29(7):1057–67. https://doi.org/10.1089/TMJ.2022.0360.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  107. Feyzioğlu Ö, Dinçer S, Akan A, Algun ZC. Is Xbox 360 Kinect-based virtual reality training as effective as standard physiotherapy in patients undergoing breast cancer surgery? Support Care Cancer. 2020;28(9):4295–303. https://doi.org/10.1007/S00520-019-05287-X.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  108. Rebenitsch L, Owen C. Review on cybersickness in applications and visual displays. Virtual Real. 2016;20(2):101–25. https://doi.org/10.1007/S10055-016-0285-9/METRICS.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  109. Davis S, Nesbitt K, Nalivaiko E. “Systematic review of cybersickness”, in ACM International Conference Proceeding Series. Association for Computing Machinery. 2014. https://doi.org/10.1145/2677758.2677780.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  110. Lo SY, Lai CY. Investigating how immersive virtual reality and active navigation mediate the experience of virtual concerts. Sci Rep. 2023;13(1):1–10. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-35369-0.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  111. Oh H, Son W. Cybersickness and its severity arising from virtual reality content: a comprehensive study. Sensors (Basel). 2022;22(4). https://doi.org/10.3390/S22041314.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  112. Kim H, et al. Clinical predictors of cybersickness in virtual reality (VR) among highly stressed people. Sci Rep. 2021;11(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/S41598-021-91573-W.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  113. Ang S, Quarles J. Reduction of cybersickness in head mounted displays use: a systematic review and taxonomy of current strategies. Front Virtual Real. 2023. https://doi.org/10.3389/frvir.2023.1027552. Frontiers Media S.A.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  114. Hussain R, Chessa M, Solari F. Mitigating cybersickness in virtual reality systems through foveated depth-of-field blur. Sensors. 2021;21(12). https://doi.org/10.3390/s21124006.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  115. Benelli A, et al. Frequency-dependent reduction of cybersickness in virtual reality by transcranial oscillatory stimulation of the vestibular cortex. Neurotherapeutics. 2023;20(6):1796–807. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13311-023-01437-6.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  116. Garcia L, et al. Self-administered behavioral skills–based at-home virtual reality therapy for chronic low back pain: Protocol for a randomized controlled trial. JMIR Res Protoc. 2021;10(1). https://doi.org/10.2196/25291.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  117. Kim YM, Rhiu I, Yun MH. A systematic review of a virtual reality system from the perspective of user experience. Int J Hum Comput Interact. 2020;36(10):893–910. https://doi.org/10.1080/10447318.2019.1699746.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  118. Privorotskiy A, Garcia VA, Babbitt LE, Choi JE, Cata JP. Augmented reality in anesthesia, pain medicine and critical care: a narrative review. J Clin Monit Comput. 2022;36(1):33–9. https://doi.org/10.1007/S10877-021-00705-0.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  119. Malloy KM, Milling LS. The effectiveness of virtual reality distraction for pain reduction: a systematic review. Clin Psychol Rev. 2010;30(8):1011–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2010.07.001.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  120. Pons P, Navas-Medrano S, Soler-Dominguez JL. Extended reality for mental health: current trends and future challenges. Front Comput Sci. 2022;4:1034307. https://doi.org/10.3389/FCOMP.2022.1034307/BIBTEX.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  121. Goudman L, et al. Virtual reality applications in chronic pain management: systematic review and meta-analysis. JMIR Serious Games. 2022;10(2): e34402. https://doi.org/10.2196/34402.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  122. Dreesmann NJ, Su H, Thompson HJ. A systematic review of virtual reality therapeutics for acute pain management. Pain Manag Nurs. 2022;23(5):672–81. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PMN.2022.05.004.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  123. Freeman D, et al. Virtual reality in the assessment, understanding, and treatment of mental health disorders. Psychol Med. 2017;47(14):2393. https://doi.org/10.1017/S003329171700040X.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  124. Park MJ, Kim DJ, Lee U, Na EJ, Jeon HJ. A literature overview of virtual reality (VR) in treatment of psychiatric disorders: recent advances and limitations. Front Psychiatry. 2019;10:1–9. https://doi.org/10.3389/FPSYT.2019.00505/BIBTEX.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  125. Maymon C, Grimshaw G, Choon Y, Editors W. Current topics in behavioral neurosciences 65.

  126. Kellmeyer P, Biller-Andorno N, Meynen G. Ethical tensions of virtual reality treatment in vulnerable patients. Nat Med. 2019;25(8):1185–8. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-019-0543-y.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  127. Darnall BD, Krishnamurthy P, Tsuei J, Minor JD. Self-administered skills-based virtual reality intervention for chronic pain: randomized controlled pilot study. JMIR Form Res. 2020;4(7). https://doi.org/10.2196/17293.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  128. • Cerda IH, et al. Telehealth and virtual reality technologies in chronic pain management: a narrative review. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1007/S11916-023-01205-3. In this narrative review, Cerda et al. explore the evolving role of telehealth and virtual reality (VR) technologies in chronic pain management, particularly in the post-COVID-19 healthcare landscape. They examine the effectiveness and adoption of various telehealth modalities like videoconferencing, SMS, and mobile health applications, alongside emerging VR applications, in managing chronic pain.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  129. Wong CL, et al. virtual reality intervention targeting pain and anxiety among pediatric cancer patients undergoing peripheral intravenous cannulation: a randomized controlled trial. Cancer Nurs. 2021;44(6):435–42. https://doi.org/10.1097/NCC.0000000000000844.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  130. Maddox T, et al. In-home virtual reality program for chronic low back pain: durability of a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial to 18 months post-treatment. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2022. https://doi.org/10.1136/RAPM-2022-104093.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  131. Polat M, Kahveci A, Muci B, Günendi Z, Kaymak Karataş G. the effect of virtual reality exercises on pain, functionality, cardiopulmonary capacity, and quality of life in fibromyalgia syndrome: a randomized controlled study. Games Health J. 2021;10(3):165–73. https://doi.org/10.1089/G4H.2020.0162.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  132. Nusser M, Kramer M, Knapp S, Krischak G. Effects of virtual reality-based neck-specific sensorimotor training in patients with chronic neck pain: a randomized controlled pilot trial. J Rehabil Med. 2021;53(2). https://doi.org/10.2340/16501977-2786.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  133. Lutfi M, et al. A single session of a digital health tool-delivered exercise intervention may provide immediate relief from pelvic pain in women with endometriosis: a pilot randomized controlled study. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023;20(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/IJERPH20031665.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  134. Semerci R, Akgün Kostak M, Eren T, Avci G. Effects of virtual reality on pain during venous port access in pediatric oncology patients: a randomized controlled study. J Pediatr Oncol Nurs. 2021;38(2):142–51. https://doi.org/10.1177/1043454220975702.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  135. Basha MA, Aboelnour NH, Alsharidah AS, Kamel FAH. Effect of exercise mode on physical function and quality of life in breast cancer-related lymphedema: a randomized trial. Support Care Cancer. 2022;30(3):2101–10. https://doi.org/10.1007/S00520-021-06559-1.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  136. Chuan A, et al. Feasibility of virtual reality-delivered pain psychology therapy for cancer-related neuropathic pain: a pilot randomised controlled trial. Anaesthesia. 2023;78(4):449–57. https://doi.org/10.1111/ANAE.15971.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. Sacha Moreau, Alexandra Thérond, Ivo H. Cerda and Kachina Studer contributed equally.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston, MA, USA

    Sacha Moreau

  2. Department of Psychology, Université du Québec a Montréal, 100 Sherbrooke St W, Montréal, QC, H2X 3P2, Canada

    Alexandra Thérond

  3. Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    Ivo H. Cerda, Chris Gilligan & R. Jason Yong

  4. Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    Ivo H. Cerda

  5. Department of Earth and Planetary Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA

    Kachina Studer

  6. Department Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA, USA

    Kachina Studer

  7. Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA

    Alicia Pan

  8. Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, MA, USA

    Jacob Tharpe & Jason E. Crowther

  9. Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA

    Alaa Abd-Elsayed

  10. Pain Management Department in the Anesthesiology Institute, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE

    Reda Tolba

  11. Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA

    Sait Ashina

  12. Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA

    Sait Ashina & Christopher L. Robinson

  13. Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care, and Pain Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA

    Michael E. Schatman

  14. Department of Population Health-Division of Medical Ethics, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA

    Michael E. Schatman

  15. Department of Anesthesiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, USA

    Alan D. Kaye

Authors
  1. Sacha Moreau
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Alexandra Thérond
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Ivo H. Cerda
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Kachina Studer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Alicia Pan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Jacob Tharpe
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Jason E. Crowther
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Alaa Abd-Elsayed
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Chris Gilligan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. Reda Tolba
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  11. Sait Ashina
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  12. Michael E. Schatman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  13. Alan D. Kaye
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  14. R. Jason Yong
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  15. Christopher L. Robinson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

SM, AT, IC, KS: planned, wrote, and revised the manuscript.AP, JT, JC, AE, CG, RT, AK, SA, MS: wrote, edited, and provided expertise. CLR: planned, wrote, provided expertise, revised the manuscript, and is the primary investigator.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Alexandra Thérond.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

SM and AT: cofounders of Augmend Health. IHC: receives consulting fees from Layer Health. RT: receives consulting fees from Abbott and Medtronic. SA: provided consulting and teaching services for Allergan/Abbvie, Eli Lilly and Company, Impel NeuroPharma, Linpharma, Lundbeck, Satsuma, Percept, Pfizer, Teva, and Theranica. MES: serves as a research consultant to Modoscript and was a member of an Advisory Committee for Syneos Health. CLR and MEM: consultant and equity holder in Augmend Health. CLR and AA: section editor at Current Pain and Headache Reports.AK: editor-in-chief at Current Pain and Headache Reports.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Moreau, S., Thérond, A., Cerda, I.H. et al. Virtual Reality in Acute and Chronic Pain Medicine: An Updated Review. Curr Pain Headache Rep (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-024-01246-2

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-024-01246-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation