Virtual Reality study shows promise in cancer pain management
A study reveals that virtual reality reduces cancer-related pain significantly and enables researchers to measure pain objectively by analyzing brain activity patterns.
Scientists at the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center have demonstrated VR's effectiveness in managing cancer pain while developing a new method for measuring pain objectively. Their study, published in Scientific Reports, used functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to analyze brain activity and classify pain into three levels: mild, moderate, and severe.
The research team worked with three distinct groups: healthy participants without VR exposure, cancer patients using VR, and cancer patients without VR intervention. All participants wore wireless fNIRS headgear to monitor their brain activity. The VR group experienced "Oceania," a nine-minute relaxation program on Meta Quest, with pain levels measured before and after the session.
The results were impressive: over 75% of patients reported pain reduction exceeding 30% — a threshold considered clinically meaningful. The team's pain classification model achieved 74% accuracy in predicting pain intensity based on brain activity. Additionally, they observed significant changes in brain connectivity, particularly in the prefrontal cortex, which handles cognitive functions and emotional regulation.
The growing field of VR therapy
Currently, pain assessment relies heavily on subjective methods like the FACES Pain Scale-Revised (FPS-R), where patients self-report their pain levels. These measurements can be unreliable, especially when patients experience cognitive impairments. The new objective measurement method could represent a significant advancement in pain assessment.
Virtual reality's effectiveness in pain management primarily stems from its ability to distract patients. By creating immersive environments, VR redirects cognitive resources away from pain perception. The positive emotional responses triggered by engaging VR experiences further contribute to pain reduction.
This research adds to a expanding body of evidence supporting VR's role in pain management. In the United States, pain specialists like Brennan Spiegel are already implementing VR therapies for chronic pain patients. The FDA has approved VR applications from companies like AppliedVR for treating conditions including fibromyalgia and chronic back pain.
The therapeutic applications of VR continue to expand. In 2024, Brink Traveler, known for its photorealistic virtual travel experiences, partnered with Novobeing to provide lifelike environments specifically designed for VR therapy targeting anxiety, stress, and pain relief.
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