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Virtual Reality Applications in Chronic Pain Management: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
- Source :
- JMIR serious games. 10(2)
- Publication Year :
- 2021
-
Abstract
- BackgroundVirtual reality (VR) is a computer technology that immerses a user in a completely different reality. The application of VR in acute pain settings is well established. However, in chronic pain, the applications and outcome parameters influenced by VR are less clear.ObjectiveThis review aimed to systematically identify all outcome parameters that are reported in relation to VR in patients with chronic pain.MethodsA total of 4 electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase) were searched for relevant studies. Multilevel random-effect meta-analyses were performed, whereby the standardized mean difference was chosen as the effect size to denote the difference between measurements before and after a VR intervention.ResultsThe initial database search identified 1430 studies, of which 41 (2.87%) were eventually included in the systematic review. Evidence has been found for the effects of VR on pain, functioning, mobility, functional capacity, psychological outcomes, quality of life, neuropsychological outcomes, and physical sensations. The overall effect size (a total of 194 effect sizes from 25 studies) based on a three level meta-analysis was estimated at 1.22 (95% CI 0.55-1.89; z=3.56; PConclusionsThis systematic review revealed a broad range of outcome variables influenced by an intervention of VR technology, with statistically significant pain relief and improvements in functioning. These findings indicate that VR not only has applications in acute pain management but also in chronic pain settings, whereby VR might be able to become a promising first-line intervention as complementary therapy for patients with chronic pain.Trial RegistrationPROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews CRD42021227016; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=227016
- Subjects :
- REHABILITATION
DISTRACTION
FEASIBILITY
Neuroscience(all)
Biomedical Engineering
Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation
mobile
immersive technologies
surgery
systematic review
Clinical outcomes
TECHNOLOGY
FIBROMYALGIA
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
mobile phone
Science & Technology
Rehabilitation
AUGMENTED REALITY
multilevel meta-analysis
PERFORMANCE
clinical outcomes
Psychiatry and Mental health
Health Care Sciences & Services
Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine
ACCEPTABILITY
VISUAL FEEDBACK THERAPY
Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging
virtual reality
chronic pain
Life Sciences & Biomedicine
Medical Informatics
LOW-BACK-PAIN
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 22919279 and 42021227
- Volume :
- 10
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- JMIR serious games
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....ba6709752d6509471323383b0506d38c