Virtual Reality for Chronic Pain Management Among Historically Marginalized Populations: Systematic Review of Usability Studies
BackgroundVirtual reality (VR) has potential to improve chronic pain management outcomes. However, the majority of studies assessing VR are conducted in predominantly White populations in well-resourced settings, thus leaving a gap in knowledge of VR use among diverse populat...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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JMIR Publications
2023-06-01
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| Series: | Journal of Medical Internet Research |
| Online Access: | https://www.jmir.org/2023/1/e40044 |
| _version_ | 1797734024294170624 |
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| author | Marika Dy Kristan Olazo Sarah Lisker Ellenor Brown Anindita Saha Jessica Weinberg Urmimala Sarkar |
| author_facet | Marika Dy Kristan Olazo Sarah Lisker Ellenor Brown Anindita Saha Jessica Weinberg Urmimala Sarkar |
| author_sort | Marika Dy |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
BackgroundVirtual reality (VR) has potential to improve chronic pain management outcomes. However, the majority of studies assessing VR are conducted in predominantly White populations in well-resourced settings, thus leaving a gap in knowledge of VR use among diverse populations who experience a significant chronic pain burden.
ObjectiveThis review aims to examine the extent to which usability of VR for chronic pain management has been studied within historically marginalized patient groups.
MethodsWe conducted a systematic search to identify studies with usability outcomes located in high-income countries that included a historically marginalized population, defined by a mean age greater than or equal to 65 years, lower educational attainment (greater than or equal to 60% having attained high school education or less), and being a racial or ethnic minority (less than or equal to 50% non-Hispanic White people for studies based in the United States).
ResultsOur analysis included 5 papers, which we used to conduct a narrative analysis. Three studies examined VR usability as a primary outcome. All studies assessed VR usability using different measures, of which 4 found VR to be usable by their respective study population. Only 1 study found a significant improvement in pain levels post–VR intervention.
ConclusionsThe use of VR shows promise for chronic pain management, but few studies include populations that are older, have limited educational attainment, or have racial or ethnic diversity. Additional studies with these populations are needed to further develop VR systems that work best for diverse patients with chronic pain. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T12:38:15Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-47c66bf143654749a49c005164df6803 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1438-8871 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T12:38:15Z |
| publishDate | 2023-06-01 |
| publisher | JMIR Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Medical Internet Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-47c66bf143654749a49c005164df68032023-08-29T00:01:27ZengJMIR PublicationsJournal of Medical Internet Research1438-88712023-06-0125e4004410.2196/40044Virtual Reality for Chronic Pain Management Among Historically Marginalized Populations: Systematic Review of Usability StudiesMarika Dyhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-7592-9998Kristan Olazohttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-2122-2393Sarah Liskerhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-0194-0235Ellenor Brownhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-0822-5901Anindita Sahahttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-0306-4264Jessica Weinberghttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-0419-1409Urmimala Sarkarhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-4213-4405 BackgroundVirtual reality (VR) has potential to improve chronic pain management outcomes. However, the majority of studies assessing VR are conducted in predominantly White populations in well-resourced settings, thus leaving a gap in knowledge of VR use among diverse populations who experience a significant chronic pain burden. ObjectiveThis review aims to examine the extent to which usability of VR for chronic pain management has been studied within historically marginalized patient groups. MethodsWe conducted a systematic search to identify studies with usability outcomes located in high-income countries that included a historically marginalized population, defined by a mean age greater than or equal to 65 years, lower educational attainment (greater than or equal to 60% having attained high school education or less), and being a racial or ethnic minority (less than or equal to 50% non-Hispanic White people for studies based in the United States). ResultsOur analysis included 5 papers, which we used to conduct a narrative analysis. Three studies examined VR usability as a primary outcome. All studies assessed VR usability using different measures, of which 4 found VR to be usable by their respective study population. Only 1 study found a significant improvement in pain levels post–VR intervention. ConclusionsThe use of VR shows promise for chronic pain management, but few studies include populations that are older, have limited educational attainment, or have racial or ethnic diversity. Additional studies with these populations are needed to further develop VR systems that work best for diverse patients with chronic pain.https://www.jmir.org/2023/1/e40044 |
| spellingShingle | Marika Dy Kristan Olazo Sarah Lisker Ellenor Brown Anindita Saha Jessica Weinberg Urmimala Sarkar Virtual Reality for Chronic Pain Management Among Historically Marginalized Populations: Systematic Review of Usability Studies Journal of Medical Internet Research |
| title | Virtual Reality for Chronic Pain Management Among Historically Marginalized Populations: Systematic Review of Usability Studies |
| title_full | Virtual Reality for Chronic Pain Management Among Historically Marginalized Populations: Systematic Review of Usability Studies |
| title_fullStr | Virtual Reality for Chronic Pain Management Among Historically Marginalized Populations: Systematic Review of Usability Studies |
| title_full_unstemmed | Virtual Reality for Chronic Pain Management Among Historically Marginalized Populations: Systematic Review of Usability Studies |
| title_short | Virtual Reality for Chronic Pain Management Among Historically Marginalized Populations: Systematic Review of Usability Studies |
| title_sort | virtual reality for chronic pain management among historically marginalized populations systematic review of usability studies |
| url | https://www.jmir.org/2023/1/e40044 |
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