JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Virtual 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.

Objective:

This review aimed to examine the extent to which usability of VR for chronic pain management has been studied within historically marginalized patient groups.

Methods:

We conducted a systematic search to identify studies with usability outcomes located in high-income countries that included a historically marginalized population, defined as mean age ≥65 years; lower educational attainment (≥60% ≤high school education); and/or racial/ethnic minority (<50% non-Hispanic White for US studies).

Results:

Our analysis included five articles, from which we conducted a narrative analysis. Three studies examined VR usability as a primary outcome. All studies assessed VR usability using different measures, of which four found VR to be usable by their respective study population. Only one study found a significant improvement in pain levels post-VR intervention.

Conclusions:

The use of VR shows promise for chronic pain management, but few studies include populations that are older, have limited educational attainment, or with racial/ethnic diversity. Additional studies with these populations are needed to further develop VR systems that work best for diverse patients with chronic pain.