What Is Virtual Reality?
Virtual Reality is a recent fascinating technology that transfers users into a different reality by providing a unique virtual experience. It was first developed in the 1960s by the U.S. Air Force and has come a long way since then. As virtual reality evolves rapidly and becomes more accessible, it is used in many fields, including medicine.
In the medical field, it has a place as a simulation training tool, and it is an effective and safe therapeutic device used as a treatment or as a complement to various treatments used for health issues, including pain management.
Virtual reality is used in many fields of medicine, including pain management, eating disorders, autism, Parkinson’s disease, muscle control, stroke, phobias, and social anxiety. VR can be used for occupational and psychological therapy and virtual rehabilitation. In a few cases, VR is used to exercise and increase fitness. VR therapy will also need a trained therapist who controls the use of the technology during medical treatment.
Virtual reality technologies usually use dramatic and immersive sound and many breath monitoring systems to guide users through deep-breathing exercises. Virtual technology usually consists of a specialized headset that provides a 360° view of the 3D virtual environment. Additionally, it contains devices like motion controllers or gloves to enhance the VR experience. During the therapy, the headsets may be used for 10 to 20 minutes a day, which takes the patients into 3D worlds, as scenes vary from swimming with fish and ocean exploration to touring exotic destinations.
How Does Virtual Reality Work During Pain Management?
Virtual reality has a promising role in pain management, potentially reducing the need for opioids. However, the exact mode of VR’s role in managing pain remains unclear. One of the most accepted theories behind virtual reality's role in mitigating anxiety and pain management is associated with limits the attention span of human beings.
To feel the pain, the person's attention is needed, and if it is possible to divert some portion of that attention through interaction with the VR, the patient may experience a slower response rate to emerging pain signals. The pain in our body is detected by nociceptive receptors, which are located throughout the body and transmit pain signals to the central nervous system through a few fibers. When analgesics are used, they interrupt these fiber pathways (c- fiber) and thus help reduce the pain sensation. However, VR does not interrupt pain signals but acts directly and indirectly on pain perception and works on the body’s pain modulation system through attention, concentration, emotion, memory, and other senses.
It acts by distracting the mind from pain sensations and stops pain signals from reaching the brain by changing the attention of a person as the user is transported into a virtual world. The user may be transported to a three-dimensional environment through VR and learn to soothe the nervous system through relaxation and therapy. However, VR is usually not used as a standalone treatment; it is often used in combination with other treatments, such as medication or physical therapy.
In Which Field of Medicine Is Virtual Reality Used?
Virtual reality for pain management is indicated in many different medical settings. These include:
Chronic Pain Management -Virtual reality helps calm the patient rather than distract them. Many techniques are applied during the process, which helps them to stay relaxed, exchange negative thoughts for positive ones, and change their mood, thereby reducing pain.
Acute Pain - VR therapy helps to divert patients’ attention away from reality to reduce pain while performing certain medical procedures, such as dressing patients with burns.
For Children - VR therapy for pain management in children can be a game-changing solution. Many difficult situations can be handled well with this technology, such as children receiving vaccinations, intravenous infusions, etc.
Mental Pain - Virtual reality therapy is helpful for patients dealing with anxiety, depression, phobias, and PTSD (Post-traumatic stress disorder).
Does Virtual Reality Cause Any Side Effects?
Virtual reality can also cause different types of side effects. People who have undergone virtual therapy have reported many issues that would restrict their further use of virtual reality in pain management.
Common side effects reported by virtual reality users are like:
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Dizziness.
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Motion sickness.
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Nausea.
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Tiredness.
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Headache.
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Discomfort while using VR systems.
What Are the Future Challenges of Implicating Virtual Reality?
Virtual reality technology has not become mainstream in pain management because the medical community continues researching its potency. However, according to recent studies and research, current technology is optimistic; one study showed a depletion of acute pain in 88 % of patients. Many researchers have cited the fact that VR can reduce levels of anxiety and depression and also ease both acute and chronic pain.
However, virtual reality technology is facing many challenges, including:
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Most of the devices used for virtual reality are very expensive. They were also covered by insurance just now, and it is believed that the chance of covering insurance for VR is much less until it becomes a mainstream technology.
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Side effects due to the use of virtual reality have been reported in some patients. Cybersickness is most common; the patients have also complained of feeling nauseated, dizzy, headaches, blurred vision, and tired while wearing a headset. However, these symptoms tend to subside after the repetitive use of virtual reality for pain management.
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The structural and integration costs of implicating virtual reality technology are very high.
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Another challenge faced is strict requirements and standards in healthcare for the implications of VR applications. Virtual reality solutions must strictly adhere to HIPAA to ensure the security and privacy of patient's personal information. Getting through all these processes is time-consuming and can take plenty of time, slowing down the implementation of the technology.
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Lastly, many researchers fear that the technology will lose its benefits if patients become too familiar with and adapt to virtual reality through repeated usage.
Conclusion:
Virtual reality in pain management is becoming successful as it enhances the quality of life for people suffering from chronic conditions due to fewer side effects than pharmacological agents. Much research has proven that VR distraction therapy is effective analgesia for patients experiencing pain. However, the widespread use of virtual reality therapy has a few setbacks, like its high price, strict requirements to follow standards in healthcare, etc.
