P099 Attention-based Virtual Reality - A Safe, Acceptable and Potentially Highly Effective Treatment for Fibromyalgia Syndrome: Findings from The VIPA Study
Authors: Tsigarides Jordan , Grove Vanessa , Shenker Nicholas , Dainty Jack , Chipping Jacqueline , Miles Susan , Sami Saber , MacGregor Alexander 
Published: April 2023

Background/Aims

Chronic pain is highly prevalent and a leading cause of disability worldwide with a crippling socioeconomic cost. Current non-pharmacological management of conditions including Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) are labour intensive to implement and not widely available. There is an urgent need to develop accessible, innovative treatments for pain cohorts.

Virtual reality (VR) is a modern technology that immerses users within a three-dimensional, interactive virtual environment delivered through a head-mounted display. VR is widely used for acute pain, following multiple randomised controlled trials showing efficacy. Despite growing numbers of feasibility studies and a handful of larger clinical trials, robust evidence within chronic pain cohorts including FMS is still limited. Through the VIPA Study, we investigated the impact of different VR characteristics on acceptability and pain using multiple feasibility studies in patients with FMS.

Methods

Patients with FMS were recruited through outpatient clinics at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital. We investigated four VR systems representing the spectrum of commercially available technologies. Participants used each system in a random order for five minutes. The interactive VR program experienced with each headset was co-developed alongside industry partners specifically for patients with chronic pain. Baseline questionnaires included the McGill pain questionnaire short form (MPQ-SF; total score: 0-45), pain visual analogue scale (VAS; 0-10) and Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQR; total score: 0-100). MPQ-SF and VAS data were also collected approximately 15 minutes after use of the fourth headset (post-intervention). Questionnaires collected acceptability data using 7-point Likert scale rating questions (1=strongly disagree to 7=strongly agree). The VR sickness questionnaire (VRSQ) gained side-effect data (total severity score: 0-100).

Results

26 participants with FMS were included (mean (SD) age 48 ±14yrs, 88% female). Disease severity ranged from moderate to extreme (mean FIQR 65 ±16). Following use of all headsets, a 40% reduction in mean MPQ-SF total scores from baseline were reported (baseline 24 ±9, post-intervention 15 ±9, p = &lt;0.001). A 24% reduction in mean pain VAS was observed (baseline 5.5 ±1.9, post-intervention 4.0 ±1.9, p = &lt;0.001) with one participant reporting an 80% reduction (change in VAS: 5.9). Participants indicated high levels of acceptability across VR systems when asked about comfort, quality, usability and immersion (mean total headset score ranged from 77-97 out of 105). Side effects were infrequent and mild (mean total VRSQ score across devices: 17 ±12). 100% agreed they would be open to using VR regularly at home for pain management (mean rating 6.5 ±0.6).

Conclusion

Patients with FMS can experience large reductions in pain following VR, find the technology acceptable with limited side effects, and are open to home use for pain management. VR has enormous potential as an accessible, home-based treatment for chronic pain. VIPA provides strong justification for future RCTs investigating efficacy and dose-response.

Disclosure

J. Tsigarides: Grants/research support; J.T. has received a small amount of funding from Orbital Global Ltd to support research equipment purchase for The VIPA Study. V. Grove: None. N. Shenker: None. J. Dainty: None. J. Chipping: None. S. Miles: None. S. Sami: None. A. MacGregor: None.