Embodied Fully Immersive Virtual Reality as a Therapeutic Modality to Treat Chronic Pain: A Scoping Review

This scoping review examines the use of fully immersive virtual reality (FIVR) and embodiment as a modality to treat chronic pain. We aimed to describe which chronic pain disorders have been investigated using virtual embodiment; identify how sensory feedback is manipulated to affect pain sensation; describe the effect of embodiment as an analgesic for people with chronic pain; and identify terminology used to describe virtual embodiment. We used a 5-step scoping review methodological framework to examine the state of the science related to FIVR, embodiment, and pain. A comprehensive database search identified 444 studies. After full-text review, 27 studies met the inclusion criteria. Studies addressed primarily neuropathic types of pain disorders with over 80% reporting improved pain using a wide range of sensory feedback, such as aspects of the appearance, position, or movement to manipulate the embodied limb. Results suggest that using embodied FIVR can decrease chronic pain. The high percentage of positive outcomes suggests that this emerging practice holds potential as a treatment for chronic pain, although variability in study methodologies and terminology suggests a need for standardized approaches in future research.