Experiencing VR can reduce pain and stress, study suggests

Experiencing virtual reality is having positive effects on patients during treatments, according to a recent study by Cedars-Sinai Research.

The study found that patients experienced a 24% reduction in pain after only 10 minutes of using special visualisation, with patients within areas of palliative care, distraction therapy and pain management all experiencing positive effects.

Immersive platform provider Blend Media is working with medical professionals to see immersive content used within the wellness space. Its aim to is to help destress, relax and revitalise employees working in stressful environments, patients leading up to operations, and students during busy study periods.

Manzlab VR Medical are using 360 content to distract volunteers whilst they donate blood at medical centres throughout France, Relax VR who are licensing content to help companies provide stress relieving solutions for staff, and Rescape who are using immersive experiences to distract patients whilst they undergo different treatments.

Glenn Hapgood, head of innovation and product development at Rescape Innovation, said: “There is a lot of evidence to suggest that VR and 360 video can be used to improve the patient experience, reduce stress, anxiety, and pain, but until now the high cost and complex technology has prevented mass adoption. We are excited to launch this new project which will help to tap into this market and potentially drive some significant benefits for patients. Blend Media was the go-to-choice of partner as they are able to offer affordable, extensive and engaging content that can be easily used in headsets.”

Rescape has also licensed a VR solution that they have created as a distraction tool for patients undergoing treatment. The solution, named DR.VR was trialled with Llandough Hospital in the Vale of Glamorgan for distraction therapy during cystic fibrosis treatment. The results from the trial found that when patients were experiencing content within DR.VR the average reduction of stress or anxiety was 75%, and the average reduction of pain amongst patients was 37.5%.

Dr Jamie Duckers of Llandough Hospital, said: “Cystic fibrosis is an illness that requires a lot of time consuming and isolating treatment, which often impacts the patient’s anxiety levels and ability to cope. By having the opportunity to break up the monotony and strain of treatment through immersive VR content, patients have been able to momentarily escape the hardship of dealing with the treatments of the disease and have reported impressive reductions in pain and anxiety levels and I can see virtual reality distraction therapy being a useful adjunct in treatment.”