Exploring the potential of virtual reality for the self-management of chronic pain: A scoping review of its use to address health literacy

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.

Keywords: Chronic pain; Health literacy; Patient education; Virtual reality.