Clinical utility of virtual reality in pain management: a comprehensive research review

Matsangidou, Maria; Ang, Chee Siang; Sakel, Mohamed

doi:10.12968/bjnn.2017.13.3.133

Cited by 45 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…These results support the assumption made in [14] that low-cost VR HMD with AVF strategy has the potential to be used in exercises to reduce pain. Although the current study was carried out with healthy participants, a fruitful future research direction will be to explore its use in pain management in healthcare settings.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

“…In recent years, low cost consumer-facing immersive VR systems have become widely available (e.g., Google Cardboard, Gear VR, Oculus Rift 1 ). These affordable immersive VR technologies provide us with feasible solutions, which could be used in a range of real world settings, including homes, sport centers, hospitals, etc [14].…”

Section: Virtual Reality and Pain Managementmentioning

confidence: 99%

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How Real Is Unreal?

Matsangidou

Ang

Mauger

et al. 2017

Human-Computer Interaction – INTERACT 2017

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Abstract. As a consequence of prolonged muscle contraction, acute pain arises during exercise due to a build-up of noxious biochemicals in and around the muscle. Specific visual cues, e.g., the size of the object in weight lifting exercises, may reduce acute pain experienced during exercise. In this study, we examined how Virtual Reality (VR) can facilitate this "material-weight illusion", influencing perception of task difficulty, which may reduce perceived pain. We found that when vision understated the real weight, the time to exhaustion was 2 minutes longer. Furthermore, participants' heart rate was significantly lower by 5-7 bpm in the understated session. We concluded that visual-proprioceptive information modulated the individual's willingness to continue to exercise for longer, primarily by reducing the intensity of negative perceptions of pain and effort associated with exercise. This result could inform the design of VR aimed at increasing the level of physical activity and thus a healthier lifestyle.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Section: Virtual Reality and Pain Managementmentioning

confidence: 99%

How Real Is Unreal?

Matsangidou

Ang

Mauger

et al. 2017

Human-Computer Interaction – INTERACT 2017

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“…No prior reviews have specifically addressed the clinical question we sought to assess. Existing reviews have not employed a systematic methodology[ 4 ], located fewer studies[ 41 ], have not performed quantitative data synthesis[ 42 , 43 ], or have focused on special populations[ 44 ]. The conclusion of our risk of bias assessment is broadly similar to Garrett[ 4 ], inasmuch as we found few trials to be at low risk of bias.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Clinical efficacy of virtual reality for acute procedural pain management: A systematic review and meta-analysis

et al. 2018

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BackgroundAcutely painful procedures are commonplace. Current approaches to pain most often involve pharmacotherapy, however, there is interest in virtual reality (VR) as a non-pharmacological alternative. A methodologically rigorous systematic review and meta-analysis is lacking.MethodsFollowing PRISMA guidelines, we searched the Cochrane Library, Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, ERIC, NIHR Centre for Review and Dissemination, Proquest, the System for Information on Grey Literature in Europe and the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform from inception to 5 November 2017. Included studies were randomised with an experimental trial design, included a non-VR control group and examined the efficacy of VR with regards to an acutely painful clinical intervention. Bias was assessed along Cochrane guidelines, with performance bias not assessed due to the non-blindable nature of VR. We extracted summary data for maximal pain score and used standard mean difference DerSimonian-Laird random-effects meta-analysis (RevMan 5.3). This review was prospectively registered (PROSPERO CRD42017058204).FindingsOf the 12,450 studies identified, 20 studies were eligible for the systematic review. No trials reported in sufficient detail to judge their risk of bias, and 10 studies were at high risk of bias in at least one domain. 16 studies (9 randomised controlled trials, 7 crossover studies) examining 656 individuals were included in quantitative synthesis. Pain scales were heterogenous, but mostly employed 100-point scales. Across all trials, meta-analysis was suggestive of a -0.49 (95%CI -0.83 to -0.41, p = 0.006) standardised mean difference reduction in pain score with VR. However there was a high degree of statistical heterogeneity (χ2 p<0.001, I2 81%, 95%CI for I2 70–88%), driven by randomised studies, with substantial clinical heterogeneity.ConclusionThese data suggest that VR may have a role in acutely painful procedures, however included studies were clinically and statistically heterogenous. Further research is required to validate findings, establish cost efficacy and optimal clinical settings for usage. Future trials should report in accordance with established guidelines.

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“…Indeed, research shows that VR technology may provide an alternative solution to pain management that does not rely on the use of pharmacological analgesics (Mahrer & Gold, 2009;Malloy & Milling, 2010;Matsangidou, Ang, & Sakel, 2017;Morris, Louw, & Grimmer-Somers, 2009). Although VR has been shown to be effective in reducing the feelings of pain and effort (Matsangidou, Ang, Mauger, Otkhmezuri, & Tabbaa, 2017), the mechanisms by which it does so, remain largely unknown.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Is your virtual self as sensational as your real? Virtual Reality: The effect of body consciousness on the experience of exercise sensations

Matsangidou

Ang

Mauger

et al. 2019

Psychology of Sport and Exercise

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Objectives: Past research has shown that Virtual Reality (VR) is an effective method for reducing the perception of pain and effort associated with exercise. As pain and effort are subjective feelings, they are influenced by a variety of psychological factors, including one's awareness of internal body sensations, known as Private Body Consciousness (PBC).The goal of the present study was to investigate whether the effectiveness of VR in reducing the feeling of exercise pain and effort is moderated by PBC.Design and Methods: Eighty participants were recruited to this study and were randomly assigned to a VR or a non-VR control group. All participants were required to maintain a 20% 1RM isometric bicep curl, whilst reporting ratings of pain intensity and perception of effort. Participants in the VR group completed the isometric bicep curl task whilst wearing a VR device which simulated an exercising environment. Participants in the non-VR group completed a conventional isometric bicep curl exercise without VR. Participants' heart rate was continuously monitored along with time to exhaustion. A questionnaire was used to assess PBC.Results: Participants in the VR group reported significantly lower pain and effort and exhibited longer time to exhaustion compared to the non-VR group. Notably, PBC had no effect on these measures and did not interact with the VR manipulation.Conclusions: Results verified that VR during exercise could reduce negative sensations associated with exercise regardless of the levels of PBC.

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Clinical utility of virtual reality in pain management: a comprehensive research review

Cited by 45 publications

References 33 publications

How Real Is Unreal?

How Real Is Unreal?

Clinical efficacy of virtual reality for acute procedural pain management: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Is your virtual self as sensational as your real? Virtual Reality: The effect of body consciousness on the experience of exercise sensations

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