A new study from researchers at Cedars-Sinai Health System in Los Angeles found that the use of therapeutic virtual reality software resulted in significant pain reduction in hospitalized patients.
In the study, published Aug. 14 in PLOS One, subjects with a pain score of at least three on a 10-point scale viewed relaxing and meditative VR experiences through the Samsung Gear Oculus headset. When compared to a control group of patients who viewed television programming promoting health and wellness, the VR users experienced a greater drop in pain levels, a difference that was sustained for the ensuing 72 hours.
Additionally, the difference was even more pronounced among patients with severe baseline pain: In those who reported a pain score of at least seven, the VR users' average drop in pain was approximately three points higher than the control group's.
"Virtual reality is a mind-body treatment that is based in real science," said lead author Brennan Spiegel, MD, director of Cedars-Sinai's Health Service Research. "It does more than just distract the mind from pain, but also helps to block pain signals from reaching the brain, offering a drug-free supplement to traditional pain management."
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