King Christopher D, Olbrecht Vanessa A, Crowley Susan L, Klages Kimberly L, Deet Emily T, Samuel Nicole D, Smith Kelsey, Williams Sara E, Homan Kendra J
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
J Pediatr Rehabil Med. 2024 Sep;17(3):376-384. doi: 10.3233/PRM-230059.
Virtual reality (VR) is an innovative technology with the potential to enhance treatment for children with chronic pain and functional symptoms. Currently, little is known about patients' experiences of VR in the setting of intensive interdisciplinary pain treatment (IIPT). This study aimed to better understand how patients engage with and benefit from VR. This case report focuses on a 12-year-old female with amplified musculoskeletal pain syndrome and comorbid functional neurological disorder receiving treatment in inpatient IIPT. VR was incorporated into physical/occupational and recreational therapy sessions. A semi-structured interview was completed one-month post-discharge. Qualitative analysis revealed three major themes: Process of Change (VR was unique/immersive, reduced pain focus, challenged skepticism, and changed pain perception), Efficacy (VR increased movement, supported transitioning from a wheelchair to walking independently, and increased confidence, excitement, and surprise), and Engagement (VR aided in acknowledging progress, increased camaraderie, was fun, and challenged patient to extend treatment goals made in VR to real life). Therapist observations of the benefits and barriers to using VR in treatment are described. Overall, this report indicates that VR may be a helpful tool to use with existing IIPT interventions to enhance patient engagement in treatment and improve functionaloutcomes.
虚拟现实（VR）是一项具有创新意义的技术，有潜力改善对患有慢性疼痛和功能症状儿童的治疗。目前，对于患者在强化跨学科疼痛治疗（IIPT）中使用VR的体验知之甚少。本研究旨在更好地了解患者如何参与VR治疗并从中受益。本病例报告聚焦于一名12岁女性，她患有肌肉骨骼疼痛综合征且合并功能性神经障碍，正在接受住院IIPT治疗。VR被纳入物理/职业治疗和娱乐治疗环节。出院一个月后完成了一次半结构化访谈。定性分析揭示了三个主要主题：改变过程（VR独特/沉浸式、减少对疼痛的关注、挑战怀疑态度并改变疼痛感知）、疗效（VR增加活动量、支持从轮椅过渡到独立行走、增强信心、兴奋感和惊喜感）以及参与度（VR有助于认可进展、增进情谊、有趣且促使患者将在VR中设定的治疗目标延伸至现实生活）。文中描述了治疗师对在治疗中使用VR的益处和障碍的观察。总体而言，本报告表明VR可能是一种有用的工具，可与现有的IIPT干预措施配合使用，以提高患者对治疗过程的参与度并改善功能结局。
