A groundbreaking study from Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center has demonstrated that virtual reality (VR) technology can provide significant pain relief for cancer patients, potentially offering a non-opioid alternative for managing cancer-related pain.
The research, recently published in the journal Scientific Reports, combined brain imaging technology with immersive VR experiences to both measure and treat pain in cancer patients. More than 75% of participants reported meaningful pain reduction after using VR headsets to explore underwater environments.
Brain Imaging Confirms VR's Impact on Pain Perception
Researchers utilized functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) – a non-invasive brain imaging technology – to objectively measure changes in pain perception. Participants wore specialized head caps fitted with optical sensors that tracked brain activity by measuring changes in blood oxygenation.
"This study signals a new era in precision medicine where neuroimaging and digital therapeutics revolutionize pain assessment and treatment," said lead researcher Somayeh Besharat Shafiei, PhD, Assistant Professor of Oncology at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.
The imaging data revealed significant changes in communication between pain-related neural circuits within the brain during VR sessions, confirming that the pain relief wasn't merely subjective. The technology appeared to influence both cognitive and emotional aspects of pain processing.
Study Design and Significant Results
The research team enrolled 147 participants across three groups:
- 13 healthy patients who wore fNIRS head caps for 10 minutes
- 93 cancer patients experiencing pain who wore fNIRS head caps for 10 minutes
- 41 cancer patients experiencing pain who wore both fNIRS head caps and VR headsets for 29 minutes total
The VR intervention involved participants exploring realistic underwater scenes through a headset while researchers monitored their brain activity. The self-reported pain reduction exceeded 30% – the threshold considered clinically relevant – in more than three-quarters of the VR group.
"This combination therapy could reshape clinical pain management protocols, reduce reliance on opioids, and improve the quality of life for millions of cancer patients worldwide," Shafiei noted.
Addressing a Critical Unmet Need
The research addresses a significant gap in cancer care. According to background information in the study, an estimated 60-80% of cancer pain is not properly managed, with 40% of patients experiencing severe pain in the late stages of their lives.
Oscar de Leon-Casasola, MD, Chief of Pain Medicine at Roswell Park and co-investigator on the study, emphasized the importance of finding non-opioid pain management solutions. The distraction provided by VR appears to effectively divert attention away from pain through engaging activities.
Potential for Widespread Implementation
The technology's non-invasive nature and absence of pharmaceutical side effects make it particularly promising for integration into standard cancer care protocols. The researchers believe their approach could help reduce opioid dependence while providing effective pain relief.
"Study findings highlight VR's potential as a useful, non-invasive pain management tool, capable of inducing significant reductions in perceived pain severity among cancer patients," the research team concluded in their paper.
The study included collaborators from both Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and the University of Guelph in Ontario, representing a cross-institutional effort to advance pain management strategies in oncology.
Future Directions
While the current study focused on short-term pain relief during VR sessions, future research will likely examine the duration of pain relief after VR use and explore whether regular sessions could provide cumulative benefits for cancer patients.
The researchers also hope to refine the VR content to determine which types of virtual environments provide optimal pain relief for different patient populations and pain conditions.
As VR technology becomes more accessible and affordable, this approach could potentially be implemented in various healthcare settings, from cancer centers to home-based care, offering a new tool in the challenging field of cancer pain management.
