Virtual reality hand therapy: A new tool for nonopioid analgesia for acute procedural pain, hand rehabilitation, and VR embodiment therapy for phantom limb pain

Abstract

Introduction: Affordable virtual reality (VR) technology is now widely available. Billions of dollars are currently being invested into improving and mass producing VR and augmented reality products. Purpose of the Study: The purpose of the present study is to explore the potential of immersive VR to make physical therapy/occupational therapy less painful, more fun, and to help motivate patients to cooperate with their hand therapist. Discussion: The following topics are covered: a) psychological influences on pain perception, b) the logic of how VR analgesia works, c) evidence for reduction of acute procedural pain during hand therapy, d) recent major advances in VR technology, and e) future directions—immersive VR embodiment therapy for phantom limb (chronic) pain. Conclusion: VR hand therapy has potential for a wide range of patient populations needing hand therapy, including acute pain and potentially chronic pain patients. Being in VR helps reduce the patients’ pain, making it less painful for patients to move their hand/fingers during hand therapy, and gamified VR can help motivate the patient to perform therapeutic hand exercises, and make hand therapy more fun. In addition, VR camera–based hand tracking technology may be used to help therapists monitor how well patients are doing their hand therapy exercises, and to quantify whether adherence to treatment increases long-term functionality. Additional research and development into using VR as a tool for hand therapist is recommended for both acute pain and persistent pain patient populations.