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Feasibility and Acceptability of Virtual Reality for Pain Relief During Vaso-occlusive Episodes in Sickle Cell Disease: A Pilot Study

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Behavioural interventions are increasingly studied as adjunctive treatments for vaso-occlusive episodes (VOEs) among patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility of virtual reality (VR) and changes in VOE-related pain among adults with SCD, with secondary assessment of acceptability, perceived distraction, and side effects. DESIGN: Prospective pilot pre-post study. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty adult individuals with SCD (mean age 35 years; 90% identifying as non-Hispanic Black/African American; 50% identifying as female; 10% assessed as having low electronic health literacy). INTERVENTIONS: A VR application delivered via Meta Quest 3 headset as an adjunctive, non-pharmacologic intervention for patients experiencing VOEs. MAIN MEASURES: Feasibility and acceptability were assessed via self-reported distraction from pain and simulation sickness symptoms. Changes in pain were assessed using a 0-10 pain scale immediately before and immediately after VR use, with paired t-tests evaluating mean post- vs. pre-intervention pain scores. KEY RESULTS: Most participants (75%) reported that VR at least somewhat helped distract them from pain, and 85% experienced mild to no simulation sickness symptoms during VR wear. Participants had a statistically significant reduction in pain following the intervention (mean pre, 7.25 vs. mean post, 6.35; p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: VR was a feasible and acceptable adjunctive, non-pharmacologic approach for pain management during VOEs. These preliminary findings support the feasibility and acceptability of VR as an adjunctive non-pharmacologic strategy during VOEs and warrant evaluation in larger controlled studies. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.

Source: Journal of General Internal Medicine

DOI: 10.1007/s11606-026-10964-9