It’s no secret that virtual reality (VR) is revolutionising many areas of healthcare – and pain management is no exception. NeuronsVR’s innovative VR therapy offers a new, non-pharmacological solution for pain management and wound care, particularly benefiting residents living with dementia.
These immersive virtual reality therapy sessions provide not only a distraction from discomfort, but a holistic approach to pain management, enhancing residents’ wellbeing and reducing the need for medications.
How Virtual Reality Supports Pain Management
Pain management is a critical issue in aged care, particularly for residents diagnosed with dementia who may struggle to communicate their pain or respond to traditional treatments. NeuronsVR helps by taking residents into calming, virtual environments which can help them enter an altered state of consciousness (ASC), similar to deep relaxation or meditation.
In addition to offering distraction, NeuronsVR therapy uses gentle brain stimulation to reduce pain. By engaging parts of the brain linked to pleasure and relaxation, virtual reality therapy can help to block pain signals, providing a dual-action approach of both distraction and neurological engagement to manage pain without relying on medication.
Real Life Experiences
NeuronsVR is being used across Australia with great success, but our team was overjoyed to hear of a recent experience with a gentleman in Western Australia:
“A gentleman was admitted in a very poor state with multiple wounds and overall deterioration. He had been in extreme pain during wound care previously, even with analgesia being administered. Today they tried NeuronsVR during his wound dressing and he didn’t show any signs of pain. He was in a field amongst cows and cattle dogs and was moving his head from side to side, taking everything in. The staff said they had never seen anything quite like this before. Staff told his family members about the experience and they were very grateful and emotional.”
A Breakthrough for Wound Care
But this isn’t the only facility experiencing challenges with wound care. For many aged care settings, wound care presents a significant challenge, especially for those with a diagnosis of dementia who may become distressed during dressing changes or procedures. There is evidence to suggest that pain in dementia is related to a variety of behavioural symptoms, such as depression, verbal abuse, wandering, agitation, and aggression. ⁽¹⁾
During face-to-face assessments, DSA teams have found pain to be a leading cause of changed behaviour for their clients. High rates of pain are documented in people living with dementia in residential aged care homes, with as many as 80% experiencing some type of chronic or acute pain. However, as a result of their dementia, they are often unable to communicate their pain.
NeuronsVR’s virtual reality therapy sessions can significantly improve this process by calming residents and lowering their stress levels. By transporting them into serene, virtual environments, virtual reality therapy helps shift their focus away from the discomfort of wound care procedures, making them more manageable for both the resident and healthcare professionals.
The deep relaxation state facilitated by VR can help reduce agitation and anxiety, creating a more cooperative environment, allowing staff to perform wound care more effectively and reducing the needs for sedatives or pharmaceuticals.
Reducing the Reliance on Medications
One of the key benefits of NeuronsVR therapy is the ability to reduce reliance on traditional medications, such as opioids or sedatives, which can have significant side effects. VR offers a safe, drug-free alternative that helps residents feel more comfortable and in control of their treatment.
This sense of control is particularly important for individuals with a dementia diagnosis, who may feel confused or anxious. By participating in VR therapy, they can feel a sense of empowerment and feel more involved in their care, improving their mood, compliance and overall satisfaction.
Engaging Neurological Mechanisms for Long-Lasting Relief
NeuronsVR does more than just distract from pain – it helps the brain process pain differently. By activating areas of the brain associated with pleasure and reward, VR therapy inhibits the processing of pain signals, creating a sense of comfort and wellbeing that lasts long after the VR session ends.
The relaxation techniques used in NeuronsVR virtual reality therapy sessions, such as guided imagery and mindfulness, also help to reduce stress, making residents feel more at ease. This benefits both their physical and emotional wellbeing, which is important for those living with dementia.
The Future of Improved Wound Care and Pain Management
With its ability to engage multiple senses, promote relaxation, and activate neurological pathways, NeuronsVR therapy is paving the way for a new era of holistic care in aged care settings.
If you’re interested in learning more about how NeuronsVR can transform pain management and wound care at your facility, contact us today to schedule a free demonstration. Together, we can create a more comfortable and empowered future for aged care residents.
⁽¹⁾ van Dalen-Kok AH, Pieper MJ, de Waal MW, Lukas A, Husebo BS, Achterberg WP. Association between pain, neuropsychiatric symptoms, and physical function indementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Geriatr 2015;15:49. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
