The feasibility and effectiveness of virtual reality meditation on reducing chronic pain for older adults with knee osteoarthritis

Abstract

There is an urgent need for safe and effective nonpharmacologic approaches to treat chronic knee pain in older adults. Although virtual reality (VR) has shown some effectiveness for acute pain, there is limited evidence on the effects of VR on chronic pain particularly with older adult populations. This single application, within‐subject pilot study evaluated the feasibility and effectiveness of VR as a clinical treatment for older adults with chronic osteoarthritis knee pain. Nineteen participants aged 60+ years old participated in a 10‐min VR meditation program. Data on pain and affect were collected immediately prior to, post, and 24–48 h after the VR. Results suggest that VR meditation had significant moderate to large analgesic effects on knee pain intensity, primarily during VR (d = 1.10) and post VR (d = 0.99), with some lasting effects into next day (d = 0.58). The findings also suggest VR meditation intervention had a positive effect on affect, with a significant large decrease in negative affect scores pre‐ to post‐VR (d = 1.14). The significant moderate to large decreases in pain interference for normal work (d = 0.71), mood (d = 0.53), sleep (d = 0.67), and enjoyment of life (d = 0.72) suggest that older adults may have a higher ability to participate in meaningful daily activities up to 24–48 h after VR meditation. VR appears to be a feasible and effective nonpharmacological tool for older adults to treat chronic overall and knee‐specific pain.

Chronische Schmerzen im Alter – psychologische Aspekte und ihre therapeutischen Konsequenzen*

“…In einer Pilotstudie (N = 19) hatte der Einsatz einer zehnminütigen VR-Meditation (achtsames Atmen in einer Naturszene nach Wahl) bei älteren Menschen (60 + ) mit chronischen Knieschmerzen mittlere bis starke analgetische Effekte während der VR-Sitzung (d = 1.10), danach (d = 0.99) und in abgeschwächter Form sogar noch am Folgetag (d = 0.58). Auch eine Stimmungsverbesserung zwischen Beginn und Ende der Übung wurde durch die VR-Meditation bewirkt (d = 1.14; [53]).…”

The role of virtual reality as adjunctive therapy to spinal cord stimulation in chronic pain: A feasible concept?

“…Recently, Botella and colleagues designed a multicomponent cognitive-behavioural program using VR to deliver relaxation and mindfulness in a chronic pain condition (fibromyalgia), with the treatment producing long-term physical and psychological benefits in fibromyalgia patients (40). patients find VR headsets comfortable to use, and patients with glasses can wear the headsets over their glasses without discomfort (29,43,44). Some of the complaints described by a minority of patients include feeling uncomfortable and claustrophobic, concerns about the heaviness of the headset, a desire for more realistic scenes in mediation-based programming, and concerns that VR does not feel like "real" treatment compared to alternative manual treatments (29,43,45).…”

“…patients find VR headsets comfortable to use, and patients with glasses can wear the headsets over their glasses without discomfort (29,43,44). Some of the complaints described by a minority of patients include feeling uncomfortable and claustrophobic, concerns about the heaviness of the headset, a desire for more realistic scenes in mediation-based programming, and concerns that VR does not feel like "real" treatment compared to alternative manual treatments (29,43,45). Deo and colleagues describe that while some patients appreciate how the VR headset blocked their sight of doctors and equipment, which they felt to be particularly anxiety-provoking during procedures, others preferred to be more aware and to be able to talk with the doctor.…”

“…Systematic reviews and meta-analyses have shown that the majority of studies demonstrate a statistically significant improvement in pain reduction during and shortly after VR therapy, as measured by these outcomes (25,26). In a study investigating the use of VR therapy to reduce chronic pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis, Sarkar and colleagues even suggest that moderate analgesic effects could last into the next day following VR therapy (29). The heterogeneity across studies in patient populations assessed, conditions treated, and timeframes/contexts of VR treatment administration and pain scoring do, however, make the pooling of results and analyses difficult.…”

Systematic Review of High-Dimensional Omics in Mind-Body Medicine

“…Mind-body interventions are reported as effective for a vast range of clinical conditions [4][5][6][7][8][9][10] and are also successfully translating into technology-driven healthcare [11][12][13][14]. The properties/structure of mind-body medicine also imply that they are meaningfully compatible with augmented reality/AR as telehealth develops into the future.…”