U.S. FDA authorizes virtual reality system for reducing back pain
U.S. FDA authorizes virtual reality system for reducing back pain
November 16, 2021; 2:02 PM EST
(Reuters) – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday authorized a virtual reality (VR) system from Applied VR for reducing lower back pain after a majority of patients in a trial testing the device showed lesser discomfort.
The device, EaseVRx, uses cognitive behavioral therapy and other associated methods to help with pain reduction and is meant for self-use at home.
It consists of a VR headset and a controller, along with a breathing amplifier attached to the headset for use in deep breathing exercises. The treatment consists of 56 VR sessions, 2-16 minutes long, with an eight-week treatment program.
FILE PHOTO: Signage is seen outside of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) headquarters in White Oak, Maryland, U.S., August 29, 2020. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo
The device was authorized based on trial results that evaluated 179 patients, where about 65% of the patients showed a greater than 30% reduction in pain.
Software developer Applied VR has a number of virtual reality devices under development for diseases including anxiety and general pain.
Last year, a small study suggested that immersion in virtual reality may relieve some of the pain of contractions before childbirth.
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