Gender Differences in Virtual Reality Surgical Pain Distraction

Researchers from Belgium, Italy, Mexico, and California (USA) recently published a report comparing gender differences in virtual reality pain distraction following cardiac surgery. This international team from previous compared patients’ physiological and subjective responses based on gender. Very few studies have examined gender differences in physiological responses to VR. This study suggests that VR is an effective medium to reduce stress and anxiety in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. The researchers are interested in continued investigation and are working toward making this intervention more effective, less expensive and available across platforms to include mobile healthcare and behavioral health.

For information on this study, please contact the corresponding author, Brenda K. Wiederhold (frontoffice@vrphobia.com).

To access the full text: http://www.alliedacademies.org/articles/study-of-gender-differences-in-vr-response-following-cardiac-surgery-6922.html

Mosso JL, Wiederhold BK, La Paglia F, Guarino D, La Barbera D, Mosso Jr JL, Miller I, Wiederhold MD. Study of gender differences in VR response following cardiac surgery. Journal of Psychology and Cognition. 2017;2(1). http://www.alliedacademies.org/articles/study-of-gender-differences-in-vr-response-following-cardiac-surgery-6922.html

Virtual Reality Assisted Anesthesia During Gastrointestinal Surgery

Surgical Research Updates journal recently published “Virtual Reality Assisted Anesthesia (VRAA) during Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy: Report of 115 Cases— Analysis of Physiological Responses.” The second report of this study focused on patients’ physiological responses to stress and pain during gastrointestinal surgery. Researchers from Interactive Media Institute, Virtual Reality Medical Center in San Diego, and the Alberto Pisanty Clinic, and Panamerican University in Mexico City participated. Results indicate lower heart rate and respiration rate (physiological indicators of stress) in patients using VR than those who did not.

These findings support a previous publication of self-report pain scores and highlight the usefulness of VR to reduce physiological responses to stress and decrease pain without medication. These findings have large implications in surgical practice moving forward. Reduced need for medication like anesthesia help lower medical costs, reduce the risk complications, and reduce patient recovery time.

 

Contact author:

Brenda K. Wiederhold

Virtual Reality Medical Center

frontoffice@vrphobia.com

 

Vasquez JM, Wiederhold BK, Miller I, Lara DM, Wiederhold MD. Virtual reality assisted anesthesia (VRAA) during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy: Report of 115 cases-Analysis of physiological responses. Surgical Research Updates. 2017. https://synergypublishers.com/downloads/sruv5a1/