A small study found that distracting patients by immersing them in a virtual reality program helped reduce perceived pain, even in elderly patients who aren't acquainted with virtual computer programs, according to a report by Reuters.
In the study, presented at the annual meeting of the American Pain Society, people ages 60 and older were immersed in a virtual reality program called SnowWorld, in which they moved through an icy canyon with snowmen, igloos, penguins, mammoths and fish. Meanwhile, a low-immersion group viewed the same program with a display that did not block outside noises and sights and reduced image resolution.
Subjects received the simulated pain of a lumbar puncture when they were immersed in either program and when they were not. The immersed group showed a significant reduction in sensory, emotional and cognitive pain. The subjective analgesia effect was significantly greater in the high-immersion group.
Read the Reuters report on pain management.
Related Articles on Pain Therapy:
Pain Management's Role in Spine Care: 5 Points
Study: Acupuncture Has No Significant Impact on Back Pain, May Produce Negative Outcomes
Spero Pain Relief Therapy Opens Third of 14 Planned Pain Relief Clinics