Feasibility of In-Home Virtual Reality for Chronic Pain in Sickle Cell Disease

Area of Science:

• Pain Management
• Virtual Reality Applications
• Sickle Cell Disease Research

Background:

• Chronic pain is a significant issue for adults with sickle cell disease.
• Current treatment options for chronic pain in sickle cell disease are limited.
• Investigating novel, accessible interventions is crucial for this underserved population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility of an in-home virtual reality (VR) intervention for chronic pain management in adults with sickle cell disease (SCD).
• To evaluate participant enrollment, adherence, intervention use, and cybersickness in a VR intervention for SCD chronic pain.
• To determine the acceptability of an in-home VR intervention for chronic pain in adults with SCD.

Main Methods:

• A two-group, parallel, randomized controlled trial was conducted.
• Participants were randomized to either a virtual reality (VR) or an audio control group.
• Intervention involved daily modules for 8 weeks, with pain diaries and post-study interviews. Feasibility outcomes included enrollment (>50%), questionnaire response (>50%), intervention use, and cybersickness (<20%).

Main Results:

• Enrollment feasibility was met, with 67.8% of approached individuals enrolled.
• Questionnaire response rates varied, with 100% at baseline and declining to <50% by week 8.
• Participants reported minimal cybersickness, and the VR intervention was deemed acceptable, with significant usage in both groups.

Conclusions:

• Home-based virtual reality is a feasible intervention for future research in sickle cell disease.
• Findings support the use of VR for chronic pain in adults with SCD, an underserved population.
• Future trials should address sample size, cybersickness, and questionnaire response rates to strengthen findings.