Harnessing Virtual Reality for Pain Management: A Comprehensive Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Abstract
Background: Virtual reality (VR) is marked by both progress and ongoing challenges. Significant advancements have been made in healthcare, where VR is used for therapy, rehabilitation, and medical training. VR holds numerous untapped applications in the medical field, with pain management standing out as a significant yet often overlooked area. Despite its critical importance in disease management and therapy, pain relief remains underemphasized in many healthcare approaches.
Objective: To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis on the effectiveness of VR in pain management.
Methods: A Comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases, including PubMed, Cochrane Library, Medline, Embase, and PsycINFO, using Boolean operators and adhering to PRISMA guidelines. The search aimed to identify studies evaluating VR-based interventions for pain management, distraction, and reduction. Studies were included based on predefined inclusion criteria, with a focus on those utilizing standardized pain assessment scales. Data extraction encompassed study characteristics, patient demographics, and reported pain outcomes.
Result: Around 20 studies were used to assess the effectiveness of VR as a pain management tool. Of these, 95.2% reported positive outcomes, highlighting VR’s effectiveness in pain distraction. These findings emphasize VR’s potential as an innovative, non-invasive pain relief method. Studies included various pain scales and diverse age groups. VR was found to be beneficial across medical conditions, reducing reliance on medication.
Conclusion: VR is emerging as a valuable asset in contemporary pain management. Its ability to provide immersive distraction has the potential to transform pain relief protocols, diminish dependence on pharmacological treatments, and improve the patient care experience.
Keywords: Virtual reality, Pain relief, Pain distraction, Pain management
Keywords:
Virtual reality, Pain relief, Pain distraction, Pain managementDOI
https://doi.org/10.22270/jddt.v16i2.7572References
1. Terman GW, Bonica JJ. Spinal mechanisms and their modulation. In: Loeser JD, Butler SH, Chapman CR, Turk DC, eds. Bonica's Management of Pain. 3rd ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins; 2001. p. 73.
2. Saida Firdose V S, Dhivya K, Pravallika S, Santhosh S. Cost of Illness Analysis of Knee Osteoarthritis in a Tertiary Care Hospital. Journal of young pharmacist. Vol 10, Issue 3, 2018: 322-25. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.5530/jyp.2018.10.71
3. Hafeez U, Parakh S, Gan HK, Scott AM. Antibody-Drug Conjugates for Cancer Therapy. Molecules. 2020 Oct 16;25(20):4764. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/molecules25204764
4. Teh JJ, Pascoe DJ, Hafeji S, Parchure R, Koczoski A, Rimmer MP, Khan KS, Al Wattar BH. Efficacy of virtual reality for pain relief in medical procedures: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Med. 2024 Feb 14;22(1):64. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12916-024-03266-6
5. Lowood H. Virtual Reality. In: Encyclopædia Britannica [Internet]. Chicago, IL: Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.; 2018. Available at: https://www.britannica.com/technology/virtual-reality. Accessed October 5, 2025.
6. El Beheiry M, Doutreligne S, Caporal C, Ostertag C, Dahan M, Masson JB. Virtual Reality: Beyond Visualization. J Mol Biol. 2019 Mar 29;431(7):1315-1321. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jmb.2019.01.033
7. Arane K, Behboudi A, Goldman RD. Virtual reality for pain and anxiety management in children. Can Fam Physician. 2017 Dec;63(12):932-934. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12916-024-03266-6
8. Gowthami V, Sudha P, Suresh T, Mounika P, Dhivya K. A Prospective Study on Effect of Monotherapy Antiepileptics on Hematological Parameters and Various Biochemical Parameters in Epilepsy Patients. Journal of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences. Vol.9, Issue 5, 2017.
9. Viderman D, Tapinova K, Dossov M, Seitenov S, Abdildin YG. Virtual reality for pain management: an umbrella review. Front Med (Lausanne). 2023 Jul 14;10:1203670. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2023.1203670
10. Tas FQ, van Eijk CAM, Staals LM, Legerstee JS, Dierckx B. Virtual reality in pediatrics, effects on pain and anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis update. Paediatr Anaesth. 2022 Dec;32(12):1292-1304. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/pan.14546
11. Rousseaux F, Panda R, Toussaint C, Bicego A, Niimi M, Faymonville ME, Nyssen AS, Laureys S, Gosseries O, Vanhaudenhuyse A. Virtual reality hypnosis in the management of pain: Self-reported and neurophysiological measures in healthy subjects. Eur J Pain. 2023 Jan;27(1):148-162. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ejp.2045
12. Hoffman HG, Chambers GT, Meyer WJ 3rd, Arceneaux LL, Russell WJ, Seibel EJ, Richards TL, Sharar SR, Patterson DR. Virtual reality as an adjunctive non-pharmacologic analgesic for acute burn pain during medical procedures. Ann Behav Med. 2011 Apr;41(2):183-91. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12160-010-9248-7
13. Lee SY, Cha JY, Yoo JW, Nazareno M, Cho YS, Joo SY, Seo CH. Effect of the Application of Virtual Reality on Pain Reduction and Cerebral Blood Flow in Robot-Assisted Gait Training in Burn Patients. J Clin Med. 2022 Jun 29;11(13):3762. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/jcm11133762
14. Felemban OM, Alshamrani RM, Aljeddawi DH, Bagher SM. Effect of virtual reality distraction on pain and anxiety during infiltration anesthesia in pediatric patients: a randomized clinical trial. BMC Oral Health. 2021 Jun 25;21(1):321. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12903-021-01678-x
15. Shetty V, Suresh LR, Hegde AM. Effect of Virtual Reality Distraction on Pain and Anxiety During Dental Treatment in 5 to 8 Year Old Children. J Clin Pediatr Dent. 2019;43(2):97-102. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.17796/1053-4625-43.2.5
16. Alemanno F, Houdayer E, Emedoli D, Locatelli M, Mortini P, Mandelli C, Raggi A, Iannaccone S. Efficacy of virtual reality to reduce chronic low back pain: Proof-of-concept of a non-pharmacological approach on pain, quality of life, neuropsychological and functional outcome. PLoS One. 2019 May 23;14(5):e0216858. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0216858
17. Chan E, Hovenden M, Ramage E, Ling N, Pham JH, Rahim A, Lam C, Liu L, Foster S, Sambell R, Jeyachanthiran K, Crock C, Stock A, Hopper SM, Cohen S, Davidson A, Plummer K, Mills E, Craig SS, Deng G, Leong P. Virtual Reality for Pediatric Needle Procedural Pain: Two Randomized Clinical Trials. J Pediatr. 2019 Jun;209:160-167.e4. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpeds.2019.02.034
18. Chen YJ, Cheng SF, Lee PC, Lai CH, Hou IC, Chen CW. Distraction using virtual reality for children during intravenous injections in an emergency department: A randomised trial. J Clin Nurs. 2020 Feb;29(3-4):503-510. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jocn.15088
19. Koç Özkan T, Polat F. The Effect of Virtual Reality and Kaleidoscope on Pain and Anxiety Levels During Venipuncture in Children. J Perianesth Nurs. 2020 Apr;35(2):206-211. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jopan.2019.08.010
20. Buyuk ET, Odabasoglu E, Uzsen H, Koyun M. The effect of virtual reality on Children's anxiety, fear, and pain levels before circumcision. J Pediatr Urol. 2021 Aug;17(4):567.e1-567.e8. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpurol.2021.04.008
21. Liu KY, Ninan SJ, Laitman BM, Goldrich DY, Iloreta AM, Londino AV 3rd. Virtual Reality as Distraction Analgesia and Anxiolysis for Pediatric Otolaryngology Procedures. Laryngoscope. 2021 May;131(5):E1714-E1721. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/lary.29148
22. Ebrahimi N, Rojhani-Shirazi Z, Yoosefinejad AK, Nami M. The effects of virtual reality training on clinical indices and brain mapping of women with patellofemoral pain: a randomized clinical trial. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2021 Oct 25;22(1):900. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12891-021-04785-6
23. Akin B, Yilmaz Kocak M, Küçükaydın Z, Güzel K. The Effect of Showing Images of the Foetus with the Virtual Reality Glass During Labour Process on Labour Pain, Birth Perception and Anxiety. J Clin Nurs. 2021 Aug;30(15-16):2301-2308. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jocn.15768
24. Tejera DM, Beltran-Alacreu H, Cano-de-la-Cuerda R, Leon Hernández JV, Martín-Pintado-Zugasti A, Calvo-Lobo C, Gil-Martínez A, Fernández-Carnero J. Effects of Virtual Reality versus Exercise on Pain, Functional, Somatosensory and Psychosocial Outcomes in Patients with Non-specific Chronic Neck Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 Aug 16;17(16):5950. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17165950
25. Lier EJ, Oosterman JM, Assmann R, et al. The effect of virtual reality on evoked potentials following painful electrical stimuli and subjective pain. Sci Rep. 2020;10:9067. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-66035-4
26. Jones T, Moore T, Choo J. The Impact of Virtual Reality on Chronic Pain. PLoS One. 2016 Dec 20;11(12):e0167523. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0167523
27. Reitze A, Voigt M, Klawonn F, Dusch M, Grigull L, Mücke U. Impact of virtual reality on peri-interventional pain, anxiety and distress in a pediatric oncology outpatient clinic: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Pediatr. 2024 Aug 3;24(1):501. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12887-024-04952-3
28. Lee HN, Bae W, Park JW, Jung JY, Hwang S, Kim DK, Kwak YH. Virtual reality environment using a dome screen for procedural pain in young children during intravenous placement: A pilot randomized controlled trial. PLoS One. 2021 Aug 31;16(8):e0256489. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0256489
29. Matheve T, Bogaerts K, Timmermans A. Virtual reality distraction induces hypoalgesia in patients with chronic low back pain: a randomized controlled trial. J Neuroeng Rehabil. 2020 Apr 22;17(1):55. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12984-020-00688-0
30. Eccleston C, Fisher E, Liikkanen S, Sarapohja T, Stenfors C, Jääskeläinen SK, Rice ASC, Mattila L, Blom T, Bratty JR. A prospective, double-blind, pilot, randomized, controlled trial of an "embodied" virtual reality intervention for adults with low back pain. Pain. 2022 Sep 1;163(9):1700-1715. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002617
31. Magora F, Cohen S, Shochina M, Dayan E. Virtual reality immersion method of distraction to control experimental ischemic pain. Isr Med Assoc J. 2006 Apr;8(4):261-5. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1043454220975702
32. Goergen DI, Freitas DMO. Virtual Reality as a distraction therapy during cystoscopy: a clinical trial. Rev Col Bras Cir. 2022 May 11;49:e20223138. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1590/0100-6991e-20223138-en
33. Semerci R, Akgün Kostak M, Eren T, Avci G. Effects of Virtual Reality on Pain During Venous Port Access in Pediatric Oncology Patients: A Randomized Controlled Study. J Pediatr Oncol Nurs. 2021 Mar-Apr;38(2):142-151. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1043454220975702
34. Juhnke B, Mattson AR, Saltzman D, Azakie A, Hoggard E, Ambrose M, Iaizzo PA, Erdman A, Fischer G. Use of virtual reality for pre-surgical planning in separation of conjoined twins: A case report. Proc Inst Mech Eng H. 2019 Dec;233(12):1327-1332. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0954411919878067
35. Smith V, Warty RR, Sursas JA, Payne O, Nair A, Krishnan S, da Silva Costa F, Wallace EM, Vollenhoven B. The Effectiveness of Virtual Reality in Managing Acute Pain and Anxiety for Medical Inpatients: Systematic Review. J Med Internet Res. 2020 Nov 2;22(11):e17980. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.2196/17980
36. Groninger H, Violanti D, Mete M. Virtual reality for pain management in hospitalized patients with cancer: A randomized controlled trial. Cancer. 2024 Jul 15;130(14):2552-2560. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/cncr.35282
37. Viderman D, Tapinova K, Dossov M, Seitenov S, Abdildin YG. Virtual reality for pain management: an umbrella review. Front Med (Lausanne). 2023 Jul 14;10:1203670. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2023.1203670
38. Pourmand A, Davis S, Marchak A, Whiteside T, Sikka N. Virtual Reality as a Clinical Tool for Pain Management. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2018 Jun 15;22(8):53. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11916-018-0708-2
39. Maani CV, Hoffman HG, Morrow M, Maiers A, Gaylord K, McGhee LL, et al. Virtual reality pain control during burn wound debridement of combat-related burn injuries using robot-like arm mounted VR goggles. J Trauma. 2011 Jul;71(1 Suppl):S125-30. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1097/TA.0b013e31822192e2
40. Patterson DR, Wiechman SA, Jensen M, Sharar SR. Hypnosis delivered through immersive virtual reality for burn pain: A clinical case series. Int J Clin Exp Hypn. 2006 Apr;54(2):130-42. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00207140500528182
41. Wiechman SA, Jensen MP, Sharar SR, Barber JK, Soltani M, Patterson DR. The Impact of Virtual Reality Hypnosis on Pain and Anxiety Caused by Trauma: Lessons Learned from a Clinical Trial. Int J Clin Exp Hypn. 2022 Apr-Jun;70(2):156-173. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00207144.2022.2052296
42. Maddox T, Garcia H, Ffrench K, Maddox R, Laura Martínez García, Krishnamurthy P, et al. In-home virtual reality program for chronic low back pain: durability of a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial to 18 months post-treatment. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2024 May 7;49(5):373-375. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1136/rapm-2022-104093
43. Burrai F, Ortu S, Marinucci M, De Marinis MG, Piredda M. Effectiveness of Immersive Virtual Reality in People with Cancer Undergoing Antiblastic Therapy: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Semin Oncol Nurs. 2023 Aug;39(4):151470. doi: 10.1016/j.soncn.2023.151470. Epub 2023 Jul 16. PMID: 37455151. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.soncn.2023.151470
44. Carus EG, Albayrak N, Bildirici HM, Ozmen SG. Immersive virtual reality on childbirth experience for women: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2022 Apr 23;22(1):354. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12884-022-04598-y
Published
Abstract Display: 221 
PDF Downloads: 79 PDF Downloads: 35 How to Cite
Issue
Section
Copyright (c) 2026 Thanigaivel Tharani , Ravindranathan Shruthi , Faaiq J.F. Mohamed Shaik , Kannadasan Prasanna , Kothandan Dhivya
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0). that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).
How to Cite
.