The management of chronic pain in sickle cell disease: an interview with Nadine Matthie.

Nadine Matthie, PhD, RN, CNL is an Assistant Professor in the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing at Emory University in Atlanta, GA, USA. As a nurse scientist, she has conducted behavioral research to investigate pain and self-management in adults living with sickle cell disease, and address chronic, non vaso-occlusive pain in this population. Dr Matthie is developing non pharmacological, patient-centered, self-management strategies that incorporate virtual reality and biopsychosocial approaches to help manage chronic pain and reduce the burden of sickle cell; thereby, facilitating new, personalized approaches to management of chronic pain conditions in the home setting. Her research has been published in several national and international peer-reviewed sources for various disciplines, including nursing, medicine, music therapy and psychology.

Use and efficacy of virtual, augmented, or mixed reality technology for chronic pain: a systematic review.

Aim: Characterize use and efficacy/effectiveness of virtual, augmented, or mixed reality (VR/AR/MR) technology as non-pharmacological therapy for chronic pain. Methods: Systematic search of 12 databases to identify empirical studies, of individuals who experience chronic pain or illness involving chronic pain, published between 1990 and 2021. JBI Critical Appraisal Checklists assessed study bias and a narrative synthesis was provided. Results: 46 studies, investigating a total of 1456 participants and including 19 randomized controlled trials (RCT), were reviewed. VR/AR/MR was associated with improved pain-related outcomes in 78% of the RCTs. Conclusion: While most studies showed effects immediately or up to one month post treatment, RCTs are needed to further evaluate VR/AR/MR, establish long-term benefits, and assess accessibility, especially among individuals who experience pain management disparities.

Virtual, augmented and mixed reality (VR/AR/MR) are technologies that can be used to manage chronic pain. The use and effectiveness of VR/AR/MR were examined during a review of 46 research studies, which included 1456 participants and 19 randomized controlled trials (RCTs). In 78% of the RCTs, VR/AR/MR improved pain or pain-related outcomes. While most studies showed a benefit on pain immediately or up to 1 month after treatment, more research is needed to assess the long-term benefits of VR/AR/MR on pain and understand how these technologies provide pain relief in the body. Additionally, the accessibility and cost­effectiveness of VR/AR/MR must be evaluated. These areas for future research must consider individuals who experience disparities in the treatment of chronic pain.

"Into the Lion's Den": COVID-19 Experiences of Black Adults with Sickle Cell Disease.

Adults living with sickle cell disease are at risk for experiencing severe illness from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) due to the complexity of their disease. Additionally, self-management and navigating the healthcare system may be challenging during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, we conducted telephone interviews with 25 participants to explore the experiences of Black adults living with sickle cell disease during the early months of the pandemic in the United States. Three overarching themes characterize their experiences: management of sickle cell disease was further complicated by the pandemic, fear of the virus contributed to physical and social isolation, and employment and financial challenges affected well-being. The pandemic contributed to changes in health care maintenance and had a disproportionate impact on this population. Addressing social and structural determinants of health and disruptions in health care accessibility is critical to advancing health and health care equity for individuals living with sickle cell disease.