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Virtual Reality-Based Mindfulness for Chronic Pain Management: A Scoping Review.

Pain management nursing : official journal of the American Society of Pain Management Nurses
June 1, 2022
Siobhan O'Connor et al. (3 authors)
Journal ArticleResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tScoping ReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to synthesize existing literature on VR-based mindfulness applications for managing chronic pain in adults.

Results Summary

The review found that VR-based mindfulness may improve chronic pain management, with benefits in physical and mental health, treatment engagement, and usability, though weak study designs and small sample sizes limited conclusions.

Population

Adults with chronic pain.

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (7)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
virtual reality (VR)-based mindfulness applications
increase
chronic pain management
adults with chronic pain
-
could improve
#1
virtual reality (VR)-based mindfulness applications
increase
the practice of mindfulness
adults with chronic pain
-
enhancing
#2
virtual reality (VR)-based mindfulness applications
increase
physical and mental health benefits
adults with chronic pain
-
suggested
#3
virtual reality (VR)-based mindfulness applications
increase
treatment engagement and satisfaction
adults with chronic pain
-
suggested
#4
virtual reality (VR)-based mindfulness applications
increase
intervention usability
adults with chronic pain
-
suggested
#5
virtual reality (VR)-based mindfulness applications
decrease
the utility of the review results
-
-
limited
#6
virtual reality (VR)-based mindfulness applications
increase
health and other outcomes
people with chronic pain
-
should assess if they improve
#7
Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To identify and synthesize the scientific literature on virtual reality (VR)-based mindfulness applications for the management of chronic pain in adults. DESIGN: A scoping review methodology was followed and conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews guideline. DATA SOURCES: Combinations of key words related to "virtual reality", "mindfulness", and "chronic pain" were searched for in PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, Scopus, and the Cochrane library databases. Title, abstracts, and full-text articles were screened against inclusion criteria. REVIEW/ANALYSIS METHODS: Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis approach was used. RESULTS: Seven studies were included in the review and their findings synthesized into three overarching themes: (1) physical and mental health benefits; (2) treatment engagement and satisfaction; and (3) intervention usability. The last theme had four subthemes which were cybersickness, physical limitations, technical support, and personalized design. CONCLUSIONS: While studies suggested VR could improve chronic pain management by enhancing the practice of mindfulness, weak study designs and small sample sizes limited the utility of the review results. Future research should rigorously co-design and test VR-based mindfulness applications with people with chronic pain to assess if they improve health and other outcomes.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
AdultChronic PainHumansMindfulnessVirtual Reality
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy65/10
Quality60/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations17
Citations/Year5.7
Relative Citation Ratio3.23
NIH Percentile86.4%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.95
Weight Score2.32
Normalized Score0.58
Related Supplements
Virtual Reality-Based Mindfulness for Chronic Pain Managemen... | Panacea Index