FDA greenlights prescription virtual reality treatment for chronic pain management

The FDA recently authorized marketing of EaseVRx, a prescription-use virtual reality system to treat chronic lower back pain, the agency said Nov. 16. 

The prescription device, dubbed EaseVRx, comprises a VR headset with a breathing amplifier attachment that guides a patient through deep breathing exercises. The program uses cognitive behavioral therapy methods — including deep relaxation, attention-shifting and healthy movement — to help the patient address physiological symptoms of pain to support overall relief. 

The EaseVRx eight-week at-home treatment program consists of 56 VR sessions, which are between two minutes and 16 minutes apiece. The FDA evaluated the treatment based on a 179 person randomized control trial that showed patients who used the VR system reported greater pain reduction both immediately after treatment and at a one-month follow up, according to the FDA's news release.

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