Virtual Reality Facilitated Exercise Increases Sympathetic Activity and Reduces Pain Perception: A Randomized Crossover Study.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Both virtual reality (VR) and exercise reduce pain while avoiding the risks of traditional pharmacotherapy. The aim of this study was to assess how VR-facilitated exercise modulates sympathetic activity and pain perception. DESIGN: Healthy adult volunteers were randomized by hand dominance and then subjected to a standardized cold pressor test while experiencing a VR application. After a 5-minute washout, participants were crossed-over and repeated the test on their other hand while undergoing a VR-facilitated exercise application. Sympathetic activation, pain sensation, and pain tolerance data were collected identically during both conditions. RESULTS: 110 participants were analyzed. Sympathetic activity increased in both conditions but was higher in the VR-facilitated exercise condition (p < 0.0001). Pain sensation scores were initially higher with VR-facilitated exercise but dropped below the VR-only condition by the end of the intervention (p = 0.0175). There were no differences in pain tolerance between conditions (p = 0.18). CONCLUSION: The decrease in pain perception with VR-facilitated exercise condition compared to VR alone indicates VR-facilitated exercise can be a useful tool for managing pain. Though this effect did not translate into higher pain tolerance, VR-facilitated exercise may be a useful intervention in the setting of physical therapy or for patients with chronic pain.