Efficacy of virtual reality for pain relief in medical procedures: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Abstract
Background Effective pain control is crucial to optimise the success of medical procedures. Immersive virtual reality (VR) technology could offer an effective non-invasive, non-pharmacological option to distract patients and reduce their experience of pain. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Immersive virtual reality (VR) technology in reducing patient’s pain perception during various medical procedures by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, CINAHL, and SIGLE until December 2022 for all randomised clinical trials (RCT) evaluating any type of VR in patients undergoing any medical procedure. We conducted a random effect meta-analysis summarising standardised mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). We evaluated heterogeneity using I ^2 and explored it using subgroup and meta-regression analyses. Results In total, we included 92 RCTs ( n = 7133 participants). There was a significant reduction in pain scores with VR across all medical procedures ( n = 83, SMD − 0.78, 95% CI − 1.00 to − 0.57, I ^2 = 93%, p = < 0.01). Subgroup analysis showed varied reduction in pain scores across trial designs [crossover ( n = 13, SMD − 0.86, 95% CI − 1.23 to − 0.49, I ^2 = 72%, p = < 0.01) vs parallel RCTs ( n = 70, SMD − 0.77, 95% CI − 1.01 to − 0.52, I ^2 = 90%, p = < 0.01)]; participant age groups [paediatric ( n = 43, SMD − 0.91, 95% CI − 1.26 to − 0.56, I ^2 = 87%, p = < 0.01) vs adults ( n = 40, SMD − 0.66, 95%…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid. Reported size: 7,133 participants or records.
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