JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Chronic and neuropathic pain are frequent in neurological conditions, often linked to altered sensory processing and disruptions in body representation. Virtual Reality (VR), an innovative technology, has effectively redirected attention from pain by creating immersive environments that engage patients and reduce their perceived pain levels.

Objective:

This review systematically explores the effects of VR-based interventions in the management of chronic and neuropathic pain in neurological patients, highlighting how technologies like VR can transform sensory experiences and alleviate pain through body re-mapping and improved body representation.

Methods:

Studies were identified from an online search of PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases without a specific time range

Results:

VR interventions effectively address neuropathic and chronic pain, enhancing body perception. In spinal cord injury (SCI), VR combined with neuromodulation improved body ownership and reduced mild pain. For complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), tailored VR approaches alleviated pain and body perception disturbances (BPD). In phantom limb pain (PLP), integrating sensory and visual feedback significantly reduced pain. These findings highlight VR’s potential as a personalized, non-pharmacological therapy for pain and neurorehabilitation.

Conclusions:

VR interventions have shown their ability to adjust body image, regulate sensory processing, and diminish pain perception using creative multisensory integration methods. Research with individuals suffering from SCI has shown that VR can improve the feeling of owning one's body and reduce pain, but the results depend on the extent of the injury and remaining motor abilities. Clinical Trial: This review has been registered on Prospero with the following number: CRD42024606150.