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Virtual Reality for Management of Pain and Mood in the CLC

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This evidence-based innovation focuses on the use VR headsets as a non-pharmacological modality to improve pain and mood. It works by immersing the Veteran in an patient centered and enjoyable experience designed to create a state of relaxation. While there are exclusion criteria for use, this modality is safe and has low chance of causing side effects.

This innovation is replicating across multiple facilities as its impact continues to be validated. See more replicating innovations.

Adoptions:

2 successful

Awards and Recognition:

Local Facility Shark Tank Winner, Northern Nevada Nurse of Achievement Award , FedHealth IT Award, iNET Spread Investee

Partners:

Recreation and Creative Arts Therapy, XR Network

Tags:

Extended Reality (XR) Geriatric Health Inpatient Care Mental Health Nursing VA Immersive Veteran Experience Whole Health
Contact Team

Overview

Problem

Veterans are disproportionately burdened by chronic pain compared to those in the civilian population. Some estimates suggest that 50% of male veterans and 75% of female veterans suffer from chronic pain.

Images

Veteran Immersed in VR Experience in Hospital Bed

Solution

VR can help Veterans with chronic pain by immersing them in a pleasurable experience which can shift their experience of chronic pain. In addition, VR can be used to teach and reinforce evidence-based practices such as meditation, mindfulness, and breathing.

Results

Initial pilot results for this intervention demonstrated a 62% decrease in pain from pre to post immersion using the DVPRS pain scale.

Diffusion tracker

Does not include Clinical Resource Hubs (CRH)

Statuses

CA: Fresno VA Medical Center (Fresno) OR: Roseburg VA Medical Center (Roseburg)

There are no in-progress adoptions for this innovation.

There are no unsuccessful adoptions for this innovation.

Implementation

Departments

  • Extended care and rehabilitation
  • Chaplaincy
  • Geriatrics
  • Nursing services
  • Recreation and creative arts therapy

Contact

Comment

Comments and replies are disabled for retired innovations and non-VA users.

Email

Email with questions about this innovation.

About

Origin story

This innovation project started after one team member pitched the idea of the use of virtual reality as a pain modality for Veterans in the CLC. The idea won first prize and started a multidisciplinary partnership to implement VR between recreation therapy and nursing.

Original team

Megan Rumzie, DNP, RN, CNL, HNB-BC

Virtual Reality Clinical Leader

Joanne Farris, CTRS

Lead Recreation Therapist

Shauna Cheney, RN

Complementary and Integrative Nurse

Search tags

Extended Reality (XR) Geriatric Health Inpatient Care Mental Health Nursing VA Immersive Veteran Experience Whole Health