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The International Association for the Study of Pain

“VR fixed me:” A qualitative analysis of a patient’s experience using virtual reality during intensive interdisciplinary pain treatment

Symposia

Abstract Description

Virtual reality (VR) is an innovative technology with the potential to enhance treatment for children with chronic pain. Currently, little is known about patients’ experience of using VR in the setting of intensive interdisciplinary pain treatment (IIPT). An important first step is to better understand how patients engage with or feel benefit from VR. This presentation focuses on a case report of a 12-year-old female with amplified musculoskeletal pain syndrome, treated in an inpatient IIPT program for six weeks. VR was incorporated into treatment twice a week: one-hour in recreation therapy and one-hour in occupational therapy. The patient completed a semi-structured interview about her experience one month after discharge by a neutral party with whom she had not interacted during the program. The interview was transcribed and a qualitative analysis was performed. Nine themes were identified, summarizing her positive experience using VR and the benefits she experienced from using it both during and after IIPT. Her clinical outcomes (e.g., pain, disability) also showed significant improvement over the course of treatment. VR is a helpful tool that can be implemented with existing IIPT interventions to enhance patient engagement in treatment and functional outcomes.  

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