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Cited by 93Virtual Reality Applications and ImpactsPediatric Pain Management TechniquesPain Management and Treatment

Immersive Virtual Reality for Reducing Experimental Ischemic Pain

Hoffman, Hunter G., Garcia-Palacios, Azucena, Kapa, Veronica, Beecher, Jennifer, Sharar, Sam R.·2003·International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction
DOI 10.1207/s15327590ijhc1503_10
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Abstract

This study explored the novel use of immersive virtual environments as a nonpharmacologic pain control technique and whether it works for both men and women. Fourteen female and 8 male students underwent pain induced via a blood pressure cuff ischemia lasting 10 min or less. Pain ratings increased significantly every 2 min during the no distraction phase (0 to 8 min) and dropped dramatically during the last 2 min period when participants were in the virtual environment (a 59% drop for women and a 41% drop for men). Five visual analog pain scores for each treatment condition served as the primary dependent variables. All 22 participants reported a drop in pain in the virtual environment, and the magnitude of pain reduction from the virtual environment was large (a 52% drop) and statistically significant. This is the first study to show immersive virtual environment distraction is also effective for women. The results show that virtual environments can function as a strong nonpharmacologic pain reduction technique, showing the same pattern of results obtained from recent clinical studies using virtual environments with burn patients during physical therapy. Practical applications of virtual environment pain reduction, and the value of a multidisciplinary approach to studying pain are discussed.

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Crossref · 10.1207/s15327590ijhc1503_10

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59 of 59 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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Authors
Hoffman, H. G., Garcia-Palacios, A., Kapa, V., Beecher, J., & Sharar, S. R.
Affiliations
University of Washington (US)
ORCID
Venue
International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction
Publisher
Informa UK Limited
Published
2003-06
Volume
15
Issue
3
Pages
469-486
ISSN
  • 1044-7318 (ISSN-L)
  • 1532-7590
DOI
10.1207/s15327590ijhc1503_10
OpenAlex
W1976683074
Cited by
93
References
61
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 1 · 2012: 1
FWCI
4.72
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Human-Computer Interaction › Virtual Reality Applications and Impacts
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Pediatric Pain Management Techniques
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine › Pain Management and Treatment
Keywords
immersive virtual reality, ischemic pain, non-pharmacological pain management, analgesia, sex differences, pain perception, virtual reality therapy

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