Impact of Passive VR Versus Active VR on Heat Pain Thresholds and Pressure Pain Thresholds

Impact of Passive VR Versus Active VR on Heat Pain Thresholds and Pressure Pain Thresholds

This is a prospective, crossover study of healthy participants evaluating the impact of passive vs. active virtual reality (VR) games on heat pain threshold (HPT) and pressure pain threshold (PPT).

Virtual reality (VR) is an emerging, non-pharmaceutical intervention used to reduce perceived pain and anxiety in patients. VR's effect on pain and anxiety on patients is well-studied as is how VR games improve recalled pain and anxiety in pediatric burn and bone-fracture patients undergoing painful medical procedures. However, how differences in VR application construction (such as passive play vs. active play) impact patient perception of pain and anxiety is not well understood. In this study, we will measure the impact of passive vs. active VR applications on heat pain threshold (HPT) and pressure pain threshold (PPT), and immediate vs. recalled pain and anxiety levels.

Inclusion Criteria:

• greater than 18 years of age
• English speaking
• hearing intact

Exclusion Criteria:

• a history of severe motion sickness
• currently have nausea
• history of seizures
• have hearing loss; are pregnant
• are currently taking beta blockers, chronotropic heart medications, or opioids or other prescription pain medications
• history of chronic pain or acute pain syndromes.