Virtual reality for spinal cord injury-associated neuropathic pain: Systematic review.
Study Goal
To investigate the effect of VR therapy, including virtual walking, on neuropathic pain in spinal cord injury (SCI) patients.
Results Summary
Virtual walking and other VR methods reduced neuropathic pain in SCI patients, with combined virtual walking and transcranial direct current stimulation being the most effective. The clinical significance of the analgesic effect remains unclear.
Population
Adult spinal cord injury (SCI) patients with neuropathic pain.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VR therapy | decrease | SCI-associated neuropathic pain | SCI patients | - | could reduce | #1 |
virtual walking | decrease | neuropathic pain | SCI patients | - | reduced | #2 |
VR-augmented training | decrease | neuropathic pain | SCI patients | - | reduced | #3 |
virtual illusion | decrease | neuropathic pain | SCI patients | - | reduced | #4 |
VR hypnosis | decrease | neuropathic pain | SCI patients | - | reduced | #5 |
Combined treatment with virtual walking and transcranial direct current stimulation | decrease | neuropathic pain | SCI patients | - | was the most effective | #6 |
BACKGROUND: Treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI)-associated neuropathic pain is challenging, with limited efficacy and no definitive options, and SCI patients often show resistance to pharmacologic treatment. Virtual reality (VR) therapy is a non-invasive, non-pharmacologic alternative with minimal adverse effects. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of VR therapy on SCI-associated neuropathic pain in a systematic review. METHODS: Articles needed to 1) be written in English; 2) include adult subjects, with at least half the study population with a SCI diagnosis; 3) involve any form of VR therapy; and 4) assess neuropathic pain by quantitative outcome measures. Articles were searched in MEDLINE/PubMed, CINAHL RESULTS: Among 333 studies identified, 9 included in this review (n=150 participants) evaluated 4 methods of VR therapy (virtual walking, VR-augmented training, virtual illusion, and VR hypnosis) for treating neuropathic pain in SCI patients. Each VR method reduced neuropathic pain: 4 studies supported virtual walking, and the other 3 VR methods were each supported by a different study. Combined treatment with virtual walking and transcranial direct current stimulation was the most effective. The quality of studies was a major limitation. CONCLUSION: VR therapy could reduce SCI-associated neuropathic pain, although the clinical significance of this analgesic effect is unclear. Clinical trials evaluating VR therapy as standalone and/or adjunct therapy for neuropathic pain in SCI patients are warranted.