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Updated: Aug 7, 2026
03:14
Spinal Sonography for Ultrasound-Guided Lumbar Neuraxial Anesthesia
Published on: January 31, 2025
Extended Reality for Neuraxial Procedures: A Scoping Review
James S Cho1,2, Devaunsh M Thaker3, Rohan Jotwani4
1Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Journal of Medical Extended Reality
|August 6, 2026
Summary
Extended reality (XR) technology shows promise for neuraxial procedures, offering enhanced simulation and navigation. Further research is needed to overcome workflow barriers and assess cost-effectiveness for clinical integration.
Area of Science:
- Medical Simulation
- Medical Technology
- Neurosurgery
Background:
- Extended reality (XR) technology, including augmented, mixed, and virtual reality, offers potential advancements in neuraxial procedure education and performance.
- XR applications encompass immersive simulations and innovative procedural navigation techniques.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a scoping review exploring the diverse applications of XR in neuraxial procedures.
- To identify and suggest future research directions for XR in this field.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search across major databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane, Google Scholar) until December 2023.
- Citation searching of relevant articles for additional sources.
- Reporting aligned with PRISMA-ScR guidelines for scoping reviews.
Main Results:
- 42 studies were included, with most published post-2015, indicating growing interest.
- XR was primarily used for simulation (24 studies) and navigation (17 studies), with limited application in direct patient care (5 studies).
- Computer screens were the most common display, followed by head-mounted devices, laser projectors, and mirrors.
Conclusions:
- Growing interest in XR for neuraxial procedures suggests significant potential in education and clinical practice.
- Accurate image registration and workflow integration remain key challenges for clinical XR implementation.
- Further research is essential to evaluate the cost-effectiveness and reliability of XR technologies in neuraxial procedures.
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