Nathan Skidmore nathaniel.t.skidmore@durham.ac.uk
Research Assistant
Exploring the potential of virtual reality for the self-management of chronic pain: A scoping review of its use to address health literacy
Skidmore, N.; Ryan, C.; Mankelow, J.; Bradford, C.; Graham, A.; Martin, D.
Authors
C. Ryan
J. Mankelow
C. Bradford
A. Graham
D. Martin
Abstract
Background
Individuals with low health literacy struggle to manage long-term conditions. Addressing pain-related health competencies is important in the management of chronic pain. Virtual reality may be a useful tool for empowering sustainable health-related stratgies due to its unique ability to engage users in artificial environments.
Objectives
The aim of this scoping review was to explore existing research on the use of virtual reality as a tool to promote health literacy in people with chronic pain.
Design
Scoping Review guided by framework proposed by Arksey & O'Malley.
Method
Articles related to “pain”, “virtual reality” and “health literacy” were searched in four electronic databases: CINAHL, PubMed, Embase and PsycINFO using a formal search strategy. Studies were categorised based on intervention content using the Health Literacy Pathway Model which encompasses health knowledge, self-management skills, health communication and information seeking.
Results
Thirteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Several elements of pain related health literacy were not addressed in the research. Interventions addressed health knowledge, self-management skills, decision making and featured content aiming to address emotional barriers to pain-related health literacy. Other components including active information seeking and use, actively communicating with health professionals and seeking and negotiating treatment options, were not explicitly addressed.
Conclusion
There is heterogeneity in existing research exploring the use of VR to support people with chronic pain. Existing VR tools to address pain-related health literacy do not cover several key components of health literacy. More research is required before a robust assessment of efficacy can be undertaken.
Citation
Skidmore, N., Ryan, C., Mankelow, J., Bradford, C., Graham, A., & Martin, D. (2024). Exploring the potential of virtual reality for the self-management of chronic pain: A scoping review of its use to address health literacy. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 72, Article 102962. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msksp.2024.102962
| Journal Article Type | Article |
|---|---|
| Acceptance Date | Apr 19, 2024 |
| Online Publication Date | Apr 21, 2024 |
| Publication Date | 2024-08 |
| Deposit Date | Jan 31, 2025 |
| Journal | Musculoskeletal Science and Practice |
| Print ISSN | 2468-8630 |
| Electronic ISSN | 2468-7812 |
| Publisher | Elsevier |
| Peer Reviewed | Peer Reviewed |
| Volume | 72 |
| Article Number | 102962 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msksp.2024.102962 |
| Public URL | https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/3361131 |