Virtual reality (VR) has been shown to be an effective treatment for many types of pain.  VR involves a computer program creating a responsive, multisensory virtual environment.  The user wears a headset and headphones that project an environment, which the user interacts with.  The user has the sense of being “present” in the virtual environment.

VR distraction is believed to affect pain perception by competing for your attention and by blocking external stimulation associated with the real environment and whatever is causing pain.

A new study by Rutter et al looked at whether the effectiveness of VR technology would decrease if subjects repeatedly used VR.  Subjects put their hands in ice-cold water for the painful stimulus.  This study showed that VR distraction led to:

• higher pain threshold (when you first detect pain)
• higher pain tolerance (subjects could tolerate more severe pain)
• decreased pain intensity (pain was rated less intense)
• decreased time spent thinking about pain
• decreased self-reported anxiety

The study also showed that repeatedly using VR did not diminish its benefits.  It’s suggested by the researchers that VR is a promising treatment for pain and should be used more.

The study, Sustained Efficacy of Virtual Reality Distraction, appeared in The Journal of Pain 2009, Vol 10, pgs 391-397.

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