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Abstract
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Background and Aims Chronic Non-Cancer Pain (CNCP) is a highly prevalent condition with debilitating psychosocial effects. Despite this, CNCP remains poorly managed. With increasing interest in the use of Virtual Reality (VR) in chronic pain management, our study team developed a patient-centric VR prototype as an adjuvant pain management tool.
Methods We conducted a multi-phase prospective qualitative study using purposive criterion sampling. Phases 1 (n=16) and 3 (n=14) included patients suffering from non-cancer chronic pain for more than three months, while phase 2 (n=8) involved healthcare professionals with more than six months experience in pain medicine. All participants were recruited from our institution’s Chronic Pain Clinic, with the study conducted through semi-structured interviews.
Results Thematic analyses of the participants interviewed in Phases 1 and 2, detailed in figure 1, revealed barriers relating to affordability and accessing multidisciplinary treatment for CNCP patients. Seven educational VR modules were designed, applying mindfulness-based stress reduction and diaphragmatic breathing and relaxation as modes of pain distraction. Phase 3 participants partook in two 20-minute VR sessions and post-intervention interviews showed that participants generally perceived the VR modules to be easy to use and beneficial for pain management, as seen in figure 2 and 3.
Themes identified in Phase 1 and 2, focusing on the barriers to healthcare access and perception of VR use. These two phases identified gaps and areas that VR modules may target in CNCP management
Results from Phase 3’s post-intervention interview regarding patients‘ impression of using the VR modules
Phase 3 post-intervention thematic analysis, identifying beneficial areas and areas of improvement for the VR modules created
Conclusions This study aimed to understand participants’ perceptions toward a VR prototype as an adjuvant pain management tool. Although further assessments are needed to assess its effectiveness, our results validate the prototype as a promising adjunct in the multimodal management of CNCP, and its potential to increase accessibility to, and reduce the perceived stigma associated with psychotherapy.