Virtual Reality for Pain Management

Virtual reality (VR) is an emerging rehabilitation technology that has been employed in the management of acute and chronic pain of various origin. It is a promising effective intervention for alleviating pain both in pediatrics and adults . VR has been used in pain management of phantom pain, chronic regional pain syndrome, fibromyalgia, impingement syndrome, and cancer; among other conditions. Furthermore, it has been used to manage pain during needle insertion and tooth extraction in children, and during labor and burn injury debridement.

This special issue will accept any publications that address the use of VR in pain management whether in-clinic or remotely supervised or unsupervised home-based approaches. Articles may have measured any clinical or psychosocial or economic outcomes, such as patients’ perceived pain, satisfaction, quality of life, cost-effectiveness as well as barriers or sides effects of using VR in pain management are welcomed. Further, studies that assessed VR technology such as usability, costs, design or soft and hardware development will be accepted. Research designs may include clinical trials, observational studies, case studies or series, reviews, technical reports as well as proof-of-concept.

We welcome the submission of manuscripts including, but not limited to, the following topics:

- VR-based rehabilitation or telerehabilitation of adult patients with painful neuromusculoskeletal dysfunction , whether acute or chronic.

- VR-based rehabilitation or telerehabilitation of adult patients with painful conditions of organic origin such as cancer pain, whether acute or chronic.

- VR-based rehabilitation or telerehabilitation of children with various acute or chronic conditions.

- VR-based rehabilitation of patients undergoing various painful procedures such as needle insertion, burn debridement, dental procedure, and labor.

- Mechanisms of pain relief using VR-based rehabilitation.

- The use of VR-based rehabilitation for pain assessment and monitoring.

- Cost-effectiveness of VR-based pain management.

- The development of VR-based serious games for pain management.

- Integration of wearable sensors with VR technology in pain management.

- Barriers, challenges and opportunity for the use of VR-based rehabilitation for pain management.

Keywords: Virtual reality, exergames, Kinect, Wii fit, telemedicine, telehealth, telerehabilitation, Physical therapy, exercises, rehabilitation, pain

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.