A Pilot on Virtual Reality in Management of Adhesion-related Chronic Abdominal Pain
EAES Academy. Toneman M. 07/05/22; 363089; P134
Ms. Masja Toneman
Contributions
Contributions
Abstract
AIM Chronic pain affects quality of life in 10- 20% of patients following abdominal surgery. Adhesion formation is the most common cause of chronic postoperative abdominal pain. Although surgical release of adhesions is effective in selected patients, many patients depend on conservative treatments. The aim of this pilot study is to assess feasibility, usability and efficacy of virtual reality (VR) in patients with chronic pain related to post-operative adhesions.
METHODS Patients with chronic abdominal pain related to adhesions diagnosed by CineMRI who are treated with VR therapy (Reducept and relaxation modules) at home during 4 weeks are included in this observational pilot study. Questionnaires at baseline, 4 weeks (ending of therapy period) and 12 weeks were taken. Questionnaires include Pain Disability Index (PDI), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and DETECT questionnaire. User experiences are evaluated through semi-structured interviews.
RESULTS Eleven patients with chronic pain related to adhesions are included in this pilot, of which 9 women (81%) with a mean age of 51 (range 39-74). In 8 patient the DETECT score was positive, indicating pain with neuropathic component. The user experience was positive in 6 patients (55%), neutral in 4 (36%) and negative in 1 patient (9%) due to side effects. Overall, side effects - vertigo or nausea - occurred in 2 patients (18%), all short term and self-limiting. The average pain numeric rating scale (NRS) score was 6.5 at baseline and 5.9 after the 4-week treatment period. PHQ-9 scores at baseline were on average 15.4 (indicating moderate severe depression) and lowered to 11.9 after 4 weeks of VR usage (indicating moderate depression). PDI at baseline was 6.5 on average and 5.8 after 4 weeks. During the treatment period 4 patients (36%) experienced technical difficulties with the Reducept module, the goggles did not cause problems.
CONCLUSION Based on this pilot, VR seems feasible and usable for patients with chronic abdominal pain after abdominal surgery. In this small cohort, a trend towards reduction of pain experience, influence of pain on daily activity and positive effect on mental health is shown. However, extensive research is necessary to determine the efficacy in a larger cohort.
METHODS Patients with chronic abdominal pain related to adhesions diagnosed by CineMRI who are treated with VR therapy (Reducept and relaxation modules) at home during 4 weeks are included in this observational pilot study. Questionnaires at baseline, 4 weeks (ending of therapy period) and 12 weeks were taken. Questionnaires include Pain Disability Index (PDI), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and DETECT questionnaire. User experiences are evaluated through semi-structured interviews.
RESULTS Eleven patients with chronic pain related to adhesions are included in this pilot, of which 9 women (81%) with a mean age of 51 (range 39-74). In 8 patient the DETECT score was positive, indicating pain with neuropathic component. The user experience was positive in 6 patients (55%), neutral in 4 (36%) and negative in 1 patient (9%) due to side effects. Overall, side effects - vertigo or nausea - occurred in 2 patients (18%), all short term and self-limiting. The average pain numeric rating scale (NRS) score was 6.5 at baseline and 5.9 after the 4-week treatment period. PHQ-9 scores at baseline were on average 15.4 (indicating moderate severe depression) and lowered to 11.9 after 4 weeks of VR usage (indicating moderate depression). PDI at baseline was 6.5 on average and 5.8 after 4 weeks. During the treatment period 4 patients (36%) experienced technical difficulties with the Reducept module, the goggles did not cause problems.
CONCLUSION Based on this pilot, VR seems feasible and usable for patients with chronic abdominal pain after abdominal surgery. In this small cohort, a trend towards reduction of pain experience, influence of pain on daily activity and positive effect on mental health is shown. However, extensive research is necessary to determine the efficacy in a larger cohort.
AIM Chronic pain affects quality of life in 10- 20% of patients following abdominal surgery. Adhesion formation is the most common cause of chronic postoperative abdominal pain. Although surgical release of adhesions is effective in selected patients, many patients depend on conservative treatments. The aim of this pilot study is to assess feasibility, usability and efficacy of virtual reality (VR) in patients with chronic pain related to post-operative adhesions.
METHODS Patients with chronic abdominal pain related to adhesions diagnosed by CineMRI who are treated with VR therapy (Reducept and relaxation modules) at home during 4 weeks are included in this observational pilot study. Questionnaires at baseline, 4 weeks (ending of therapy period) and 12 weeks were taken. Questionnaires include Pain Disability Index (PDI), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and DETECT questionnaire. User experiences are evaluated through semi-structured interviews.
RESULTS Eleven patients with chronic pain related to adhesions are included in this pilot, of which 9 women (81%) with a mean age of 51 (range 39-74). In 8 patient the DETECT score was positive, indicating pain with neuropathic component. The user experience was positive in 6 patients (55%), neutral in 4 (36%) and negative in 1 patient (9%) due to side effects. Overall, side effects - vertigo or nausea - occurred in 2 patients (18%), all short term and self-limiting. The average pain numeric rating scale (NRS) score was 6.5 at baseline and 5.9 after the 4-week treatment period. PHQ-9 scores at baseline were on average 15.4 (indicating moderate severe depression) and lowered to 11.9 after 4 weeks of VR usage (indicating moderate depression). PDI at baseline was 6.5 on average and 5.8 after 4 weeks. During the treatment period 4 patients (36%) experienced technical difficulties with the Reducept module, the goggles did not cause problems.
CONCLUSION Based on this pilot, VR seems feasible and usable for patients with chronic abdominal pain after abdominal surgery. In this small cohort, a trend towards reduction of pain experience, influence of pain on daily activity and positive effect on mental health is shown. However, extensive research is necessary to determine the efficacy in a larger cohort.
METHODS Patients with chronic abdominal pain related to adhesions diagnosed by CineMRI who are treated with VR therapy (Reducept and relaxation modules) at home during 4 weeks are included in this observational pilot study. Questionnaires at baseline, 4 weeks (ending of therapy period) and 12 weeks were taken. Questionnaires include Pain Disability Index (PDI), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and DETECT questionnaire. User experiences are evaluated through semi-structured interviews.
RESULTS Eleven patients with chronic pain related to adhesions are included in this pilot, of which 9 women (81%) with a mean age of 51 (range 39-74). In 8 patient the DETECT score was positive, indicating pain with neuropathic component. The user experience was positive in 6 patients (55%), neutral in 4 (36%) and negative in 1 patient (9%) due to side effects. Overall, side effects - vertigo or nausea - occurred in 2 patients (18%), all short term and self-limiting. The average pain numeric rating scale (NRS) score was 6.5 at baseline and 5.9 after the 4-week treatment period. PHQ-9 scores at baseline were on average 15.4 (indicating moderate severe depression) and lowered to 11.9 after 4 weeks of VR usage (indicating moderate depression). PDI at baseline was 6.5 on average and 5.8 after 4 weeks. During the treatment period 4 patients (36%) experienced technical difficulties with the Reducept module, the goggles did not cause problems.
CONCLUSION Based on this pilot, VR seems feasible and usable for patients with chronic abdominal pain after abdominal surgery. In this small cohort, a trend towards reduction of pain experience, influence of pain on daily activity and positive effect on mental health is shown. However, extensive research is necessary to determine the efficacy in a larger cohort.
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