The effect of virtual reality on low back pain

Aim: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a highly prevalent and significant cause of disability whichis often resistant to pharmacological management. Virtual reality (VR) is an emergingtechnology with the potential to influence CLBP, and has been suggested as an alternative toopioids for pain management. VR is a goalfocused, computer-simulated reality allowingmodification of the user's experience of their perceived world.Materials/methods: A narrative review of peer-reviewed literature using a systematic searchstrategy, and sole reviewer for data extraction.Conclusions: VR has demonstrated effectiveness in reducing acute, experimental and chronicpain. This review describes the theoretical basis of the therapeutic effects of VR on CLBP viathree distinct mechanisms: distraction, neuromodulation and graded exposure therapy.Furthermore, clinical application will be considered, including discussion of ethical issuesassociated with the technology.Implications for rehabilitationVirtual reality (VR) is suggested asan alternative for opioids in the management of acute and chronic pain.The therapeuticmechanisms of VR in chronic low back pain (CLBP) are equivocal but include distraction,neuromodulation of body perception and graded exposure therapy.VR may show greaterefficacy in patients with CLBP with associated kinesiophobia.VR may show greater effect withincreased immersion.

کلیدواژه ها:

Virtual reality ، assistive technology ، back pain ، distraction ، graded exposure therapy ، neuromodulation.