The Feasibility & Effectiveness of Virtual Reality in Reducing Pain for Older Adults With Knee Osteoarthritis

Detailed Summary

At the Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) Pain Management Center (PMC), knee OA is one of the most common conditions causing older adults to experience chronic pain. At this site, the core treatments of education, physical activity, and weight management are addressed, and then both pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatment options are available for patients living with chronic pain. Pharmacological treatments, such as topical and oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), acetaminophen, steroidal and non-steroidal injections, and prescription medications are currently the most commonly used treatments for chronic pain, but are also associated with limited benefits and dangerous side effects, such as addiction. Clients can also opt for nonpharmacological pain treatments at the PMC, such as acupuncture, reiki, physical therapy, and yoga, which are currently being researched at the clinic as well. The critical gap addressed with this pilot study is the need for additional safe and feasible treatment options for the growing population of older adults with chronic knee OA, as there is limited existing research on the effects of nonpharmacological treatments on this population. While past studies at the PMC have looked at the physiological mechanisms involved with chronic knee OA and the older adult population, the site has had limited funding to research nonpharmacological treatments such as virtual reality. In fact, there is limited evidence in the literature on the effects of virtual reality in reducing pain specifically for the older adult population.

Study Details

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Interventions