Kenney, M., & Milling, L. (2016). The Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Distraction for Reducing Pain: A Meta-Analysis. Psychology of Consciousness: Theory, Research, and Practice, Psychology of Consciousness: Theory, Research, and Practice, 2016.

Stein, S. (2016). The dangers of virtual reality. Retrieved October 6, 2017, from https://www.cnet.com/news/the-dangers-of-virtual-reality/

May lead to eye strain or fatigue (Stein, 2016)

Unable to see or hear things in the real world around you due to engrossing VR world (Stein, 2016)

Required technology is becoming more affordable and widely available (Kenney & Milling, 2016)

May have applications for chronic pain patients during acute exacerbations (Kenney & Milling, 2016)

Useful for all ages and for all types of pain (Kenney & Milling, 2016)

Meta-analysis findings indicate that VR distraction is a highly effective intervention for dealing with pain with patients who received VR benefitted 82% more than control subjects (Kenney & Milling, 2016).  Additionally impressive was that VR distraction showed benefits for patients independent of types of pain, age groups, or the type of software used (Kenney & Milling, 2016).  Findings also appear to indicate that VR simulations that create a sense of being in the virtual world and foster enjoyment for the user may be most useful in providing effective distraction; therefore, use of commercial VR games may be just as effective or more effective than software specially designed for VR distraction (Kenney & Milling, 2016).  

To provide a more real-world example of how this technology is being utilized in Hua, Qui, Yao, Zhang, & Chen (2014) utilized VR distraction to analyze pain relief during dressing changes for children with chronic wounds to their lower limbs.  Children were allowed to play a VR videogame, Ice Age 2: The Meltdown, during dressing changes to provide distraction from a normally painful procedure (Hua, et al., 2014).  The VR device was introduced to the children by nursing staff, and once the child was well acquainted with the device the nurse proceeded to perform the child’s normal dressing change (Hua, et al., 2014).  Children who utilized the VR distraction reported a significant decrease in reported pain and observed distress (Hua, et al., 2014).  VR distraction was also shown to lead to a lower heart rate during dressing changes and decreased the amount of time needed to perform the dressing change (Hua, et al., 2014).  This study serves to illustrate one way nurses can easily implement this technology into their practice to positively impact patient care.

VR distraction has shown to be one of the most effective psychological interventions for reducing pain, and is a treatment modality that physicians should consider especially if other psychological interventions have not been successful (Kenney & Milling, 2016).  With this technology becoming increasingly affordable and more widely available we may see a day where it is standard of care for certain patient populations.  I look forward to seeing how we utilize this technology moving forward, and given its promise I hope to see greater adoption from clinicians in the coming years.