Research.

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

We conducted a double-blind, parallel-arm, single-cohort, remote, randomized placebo-controlled trial for a self-administered behavioral skills-based virtual reality program in community-based individuals with self-reported chronic low back pain during the COVID-19 pandemic. More >>

Self-Administered Skills-Based Virtual Reality Intervention for Chronic Pain: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

The primary goal of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of a self-administered VR program that included content and skills informed by evidence-based cognitive behavioral treatment for chronic pain. The secondary goal was to determine the preliminary efficacy of the VR program in terms of average pain intensity and pain-related interference with activity, stress, mood, and sleep, and its impact on pain-related cognition and self-efficacy. The tertiary goal was to conduct a randomized controlled trial to compare the VR treatment to an audio-only treatment; this comparison isolated the immersive effects of the skills-based VR program, thereby informing potential mechanisms of effect. More >>

Virtual Reality for Management of Pain in Hospitalized Patients: A Randomized Comparative Effectiveness Trial

Therapeutic virtual reality (VR) has emerged as an effective, drug-free tool for pain management, but there is a lack of randomized, controlled data evaluating its effectiveness in hospitalized patients. We sought to measure the impact of on-demand VR versus “health and wellness” television programming for pain in hospitalized patients. More >>

Virtual Reality for Management of Pain in Hospitalized Patients: Results of a Controlled Trial.

The objective of the study was to measure the impact of a onetime 3D VR intervention versus a two-dimensional (2D) distraction video for pain in hospitalized patients. More >>

Virtual Reality–Based Biofeedback and Guided Meditation in Rheumatology: A Pilot Study

As technology continues to improve, it plays an increasingly vital role in the practice of medicine. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of the implementation of virtual reality (VR) in a rheumatology clinic as a platform to administer guided meditation and biofeedback as a means of reducing chronic pain. More >>

Virtual Reality-Assisted Pain, Anxiety, and Anger Management in the Emergency Department.

Pain management in emergency department (ED) patients is challenging. Although both pharmacological and nonpharmacological therapies exist, they are often suboptimal. Immersive virtual reality (VR) uses distraction and possible other methods to reduce perceptions of pain. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the usability and acceptability of VR applications in ED patients by assessing patient-reported changes in pain, anger, and anxiety levels. More >>

Is Virtual Reality Ready for Prime Time in the Medical Space? A Randomized Control Trial of Pediatric Virtual Reality for Acute Procedural Pain Management

To conduct a randomized control trial to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of virtual reality (VR) compared with standard of care (SOC) for reducing pain, anxiety, and improving satisfaction associated with blood draw in children ages 10-21 years. More >>

Feasibility of an Immersive Virtual Reality Intervention for Hospitalized Patients: An Observational Cohort Study

Virtual reality (VR) offers immersive, realistic, three-dimensional experiences that "transport" users to novel environments. Because VR is effective for acute pain and anxiety, it may have benefits for hospitalized patients; however, there are few reports using VR in this setting. The aim was to evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of VR in a diverse cohort of hospitalized patients. More >>

Virtual Reality Reduces Pain in Laboring Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Virtual reality (VR) represents a potential method for easing labor pain. By stimulating the visual cortex while engaging other senses, VR modulates the user’s processing of nociceptive stimuli; head-to-head trials show that VR achieves similar or greater analgesia as hydromorphone. The aim of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) is to evaluate whether VR is effective in reducing pain in laboring women. More >>

Qualitative Study to Examine Factors and Determinants of Successful VR Implementation in and Across Health Systems Serving the Medicaid Population

The purpose of this research is to conduct qualitative interviews with different stakeholder groups in the safety-net setting to identify barriers and facilitators to digital therapeutics access. More >>