The Potential of Immersive Virtual Reality as a Non-Pharmacological Method for Postoperative Pain Relief Among Older Adults

Background: Given the complexities in managing postoperative pain in the older adult demographic, there is mounting interest in exploring innovative nonpharmacological methods for pain. Among these emerging solutions, immersive virtual reality (IVR) has garnered significant interest. Recent studies have indicated possible efficacy of IVR in reducing postoperative pain in pediatric and young to middle-aged adults following various surgical operations. However, the feasibility, and acceptability of IVR for postoperative pain among older adults across a spectrum of major operations remains largely underexplored.Objectives: The primary aim of this mixed-methods single-arm study was to investigate the initial feasibility and acceptability of IVR use among adults aged 55 years and older during the initial two days following inpatient elective abdominal surgery. Secondary aims were to: 1) observe the preliminary impact of IVR on postoperative pain and relaxation levels, and 2) explore and describe the older adult’s overall user experience with IVR. Methods: Individuals aged 55 and older undergoing elective inpatient abdominal surgery at an academic medical center in Northern California were recruited from October 2023 to February 2024. Feasibility was evaluated through accrual rate, intervention completion, and questionnaire compliance; acceptability via the system usability scale (SUS), a user experience survey, and by monitoring self-reported side effects. The preliminary impact of IVR on self-reported pain intensity and relaxation levels was evaluated through pre-to post IVR changes. A subgroup of participants from the parent feasibility study who had completed at least one IVR session, were additionally recruited to complete a one-time 15-minute. Semi-structured interviews, aimed at qualitatively capturing the user experience. Purposeful sampling was employed until no new themes were captured during interviews. An inductive thematic analysis approach was used to identi