The use of VR distraction to decrease pain after laparoscopic bariatric surgery: a case study

One of the advantages of laparoscopic bariatric surgery is the reduced level of postoperative pain. In some cases, however, the pain level may be high. This is a challenge for specialists. This case study explores the use of VR distraction in an 18 year-old patient who had undergone laparoscopic bariatric surgery and who reported pain during the postoperative period. The study was conducted in a Level III Private Hospital in Mexico City where the patient was hospitalized. The patient was administered standard analgesic during VR distraction, which lasted a total of 40 minutes divided into two sessions. The scores of three visual analogue scales and catastrophism were the dependent variables of this study. The scales were administered before and after the VR distraction intervention. The patient reported lower pain levels after VR distraction and reductions in some components of catastrophism. This study proves that VR distraction can be effective not only in reducing the physical component of pain (a notion that is already well established) but also the cognitive/affective component. More controlled studies of the issue are required.