Researchers find that virtual reality headsets may have benefits beyond just entertainment. Apparently, the health industry can use it to bring succour to patients. The researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre, USA have confirmed that therapeutic VR can significantly reduce excruciating pain. The report suggests that even pregnant women can use it to ease the pains of childbirth.

To conduct the study, the researchers studied 120 patients at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre from 2016 to 2017. They gathered data from patients who were suffering severe pain from a range of medical conditions. Interestingly, the results reveal that 61 people, who were given VR headsets with 21 different immersive experiences, showed considerable relief from the pain they were in.

The Samsung Gear Oculus headset used in the research had guided relaxation sceneries or simulated helicopter tour. The headsets were used on the patients three times for 10 minutes over the course of two days.

Meanwhile, they took the other 59 people through other relaxation exercises like yoga, meditation, poetry reading and guided relaxation. However, the researchers realised a considerable difference in the pain scores of those subjected to the VR sessions.

Virtual reality painkillers

The pain score of those on the TV session dropped by 0.46 points on the scale of 1 to 10. However, those who were watching VR entertainment had relief of 1.72 points. The patients with the most severe pains reported the most benefit from the VR headsets. They confirmed that their pains dropped roughly by three points. Although it may not sound like much, it apparently feels a lot better on the pain scale.

Pain management specialist, Dr Medhat Mikhael said, “The most acceptable theory is the Gate theory of attention — it postulates that VR reduces the perception of pain by absorbing and diverting attention away from pain.”

Two years ago, experts started using VR gaming to lessen the severe pain experienced by burn victims during bandage change. Meanwhile, researchers now believe that VR can safely and effectively ease people’s pain signals. They say, unlike other pharmaceutical medications, the chances of potential addiction are very slim. Virtual Reality is termed as a safe, more effective and drug-free option.

A pain management specialist at Stanford Health Care USA, Dr Beth Darnall said:

“Most patients today are interested in reducing their need for pharmaceuticals, and VR appears to provide a pleasant, low-risk, easily tolerated, on-demand option for pain relief.”

Doctors in France are also now using VR to address the acute pain faced by paraplegics due to their spinal injury. Dentists also use it to distract patients from painful tooth extractions and other procedures. Doctors say the contact with nature through the VR headsets causes less pain.