Impact of non-immersive virtual reality on procedural pain, anxiety, and satisfaction in chronic low back pain patients: A quasi-experimental study

Despite emerging interest in using virtual reality (VR) for managing chronic lower back pain (CLBP), the current evidence is insufficient to support the use of a non-immersive VR application. This study aimed to assess and compare the effects of non-immersive VR distraction technologies versus midazolam-based sedation among CLBP patients undergoing painful intervention on pain and anxiety levels, as well as satisfaction. A quasi-experimental study design was conducted at the Intervention Pain Unit of King Fahad Hospital of the University in Saudi Arabia from May 2022 to May 2023, and 30 CLBP patients who met the inclusion criteria were involved in the study. All patients were randomly allocated to either the sedation (SD) or VR groups. Patients in the SD received sedative medication (midazolam) while the others applied VR glasses. Moreover, pain, anxiety, comfort, and satisfaction scores were measured. Both intervention (VR and SD) groups demonstrated significantly reduced post-intervention pain intensity and anxiety scores, compared to the baseline values. Notably, the VR group exhibited a significant decrease in intra-operative scores compared to baseline values. When we compared the overall effects between both interventions, the results showed non-significant differences in pain, anxiety, and satisfaction levels, suggesting comparable effects of both interventions against pain and anxiety. The results showed significant and comparable effects of both interventions (VR and SD) in pain and anxiety levels, as well as post-procedure patients’ comfort and satisfaction, suggesting the beneficial effect of VR against CLBP.