Utilizing Virtual Reality Analgesia (VRA) as a First Line Nonpharmacologic Analgesic Intervention on the Acute Rehabilitation Unit: A Pilot Study

The purpose of this project is to evaluate the efficacy of virtual reality analgesia (VRA) for Adult patients in acute pain in the Acute Rehabilitation unit. Given the severity of the opioid epidemic, physicians are looking for alternative non-opioid/non-pharmacologic interventions to decrease both pain, and the need for opioids.

The recognition of pain by an individual requires both a noxious stimulus as well as attention on the part of the subject. Studies have shown that pain sensation is less on the visual analogue scale (VAS) when subjects are distracted, and that distraction can assist in pain control, since humans have limited attention capacity. When treating Adult patients with acute pain, it could thus be useful to have an effective method of pain distraction to improve tolerance and comfort, and to decrease the amount of narcotic medications prescribed.

Virtual reality (VR) is a digital simulation of a three-dimensional environment in which the user is capable of interacting with the generated world via computerized equipment such as gloves or a virtual reality head-mounted display (VRHMD). 360-degree VR video is a subset of virtual reality which creates an immersive experience of real world environments, allowing the user to have a sense of presence and exploration while wearing a (VRHMD). VR exposure is shown to be a potent distractor and has been repeatedly shown to provide analgesia during painful procedures. Since adults are often very attracted to technology, computer games, and virtual reality, we propose a study to allow adults to interact with a custom virtual reality environment in order to consume a substantial proportion of their attentional resources during acute pain episodes. We hypothesize that immersing the patients in VR will allow these patients to spend less attention on pain and allow for less need for other analgesia i.e. opioids.

VR has been demonstrated as a valid method of analgesia for both adults and pediatrics during painful procedures. To the investigator's knowledge, no one has evaluated the use of VRA to reduce opioid consumption in the Acute Rehab unit. In addition to relieving pain, anxiety, stress, and possibly decreasing general sedation, VRA may also decrease medical costs by decreasing length of stay.

Virtual Reality Analgesia (VRA) has been shown by research to be more effective when more immersive. To accomplish this, various head-sets and technologies have been developed to provide a more enveloping experience. Until recently, virtual reality head-mounted displays (VRHMD) had not been widely accepted due to their poor performance and high cost. But recent developments with the Oculus Rift DK1(DK 1 is a model number) in 2012 changed this paradigm. The now commercially available Oculus Rift is an inexpensive state of the art VRHMD. Using the Oculus Rift can create a high definition and smooth environment that will allow for maximal distraction at a modest price point. Therefore, equipment like the Oculus Rift could be an ideal VRA tool in the clinical setting.