Feasibility of In-Home Virtual Reality for Chronic Pain in Sickle Cell Disease

Purpose

This study assessed the feasibility of an in-home virtual reality intervention for chronic pain in adults with sickle cell disease.

Design

Two-group, parallel, randomized, multiple methods design with surveys, and interviews.

Methods

Participants were randomized to virtual reality or audio control, with 2–16-minute daily modules for 8 weeks, a daily pain diary survey, and a post study interview. Chronic pain and pain correlates were evaluated at baseline and every 4 weeks for 3 months. Feasibility outcomes were participant enrollment (set at > 50%), questionnaire response (> 50%), intervention use, and cybersickness (< 20%).

Results

Of the individuals approached, 67.8% (n = 19) were enrolled. Questionnaire response rates were 100% at baseline, 57.8% at week 4, and < 50% at weeks 8 and 12. The intervention was used for a median of 781 minutes and 210 minutes in the virtual reality and audio groups, respectively. Participants reported slight symptoms of cybersickness with no reports of severe symptoms, and the intervention was acceptable.

Conclusions

Home-based virtual reality can be used in future sickle cell disease research. To further strengthen evaluations of virtual reality in adults with sickle cell who experience chronic pain, future trials should address sample size limitations and incorporate recommended strategies to address cybersickness and questionnaire response.

Clinical Implications

The first known application of in-home virtual reality for chronic pain in adults with sickle cell disease was successful. Findings can inform future in-home investigations of virtual reality in this underserved population.