Virtual Reality in the Management of Chronic Low Back Pain: A Scoping Review.

Ameet S Nagpal,Donald Mcgeary,Aditya Raghunandan,Daniel Kibler,Faye Tata

doi:10.3389/fpain.2022.856935

Abstract

Virtual reality (VR) is a burgeoning treatment option for chronic pain. Its use has been heterogenous in the literature. This scoping review assesses the current literature for the use of VR in the treatment of chronic low back pain (CLBP). The following themes were identified by the analysis: safety and feasibility of VR, quality of life associated with VR treatment for CLBP, efficacy of VR to treat CLBP, and efficacy of VR to treat functional changes associated with CLBP. Gaps were identified after analysis of the extant literature. Although the nascent research uncovered in this scoping review found good evidence for safety and tolerability of VR, more studies of safety, acceptance, and satisfaction are recommended including focused studies of spinal pain risks specific to use of VR. Overall, the methodological quality of studies reviewed in this scoping review was poor and outcomes were limited to short-term posttreatment outcomes.

Highlights

Non-specific low back pain (NSLBP) is defined as low back pain not attributable to a known cause, whereas chronic low back pain (CLBP) refers to a myriad of potential etiologies which cause ongoing pain for longer than 12 weeks [1–3]
No significant differences between these groups were observed for pain coping symptoms
No significant difference in Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) or balance tests between groups, but there was significant difference between pre and post treatments in each group

Summary

Introduction

Non-specific low back pain (NSLBP) is defined as low back pain not attributable to a known cause, whereas chronic low back pain (CLBP) refers to a myriad of potential etiologies which cause ongoing pain for longer than 12 weeks [1–3]. A retrospective study performed by Mehra et al analyzed nationwide integrated medical/pharmaceutical claims data and revealed that the total direct costs of CLBP-related resource use were ∼$96 million over a 12-month follow-up for all CLBP patients, with a mean annual cost of $2,426 per patient [5]. Given this high burden of care, it is prudent to provide the most cost-effective and evidencebased diagnosis and treatment options to patients with NSLBP and CLBP.

Methods

Results

Conclusion