Contribution of Immersive Virtual Reality to a Standardized Rehabilitation Program for Upper Limb Chronic Pain: A Single-Case Experimental Design Study

Background: Chronic pain represents a significant public health concern, given its high prevalence and the substantial impact it has on the quality of life of many individuals affected. There is no single, universally effective medical treatment for chronic pain. The gold standard for treatment is a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program. Immersive virtual reality (IVR) represents a novel and promising approach to do rehabilitation, offering the potential to enhance engagement and perception of movement. The objective of this study was to investigate the improvement of upper limb function in chronic pain patients using an IVR device in occupational therapy sessions during a rehabilitation program. Methods: The study use a single-case experimental design (SCED) to investigate the efficacy of IVR device in improving upper limb function in patients with upper limb chronic pain. The study was conducted in three phases: baseline, intervention, and follow-up. The SCED will be with multiple baseline across subjects, whereby the patient serves as his own control. A total of 12 participants will be included. The virtual reality sessions will be conducted exclusively during the intervention phase. The primary outcome measure will be the upper limb function, as assessed by the Quick DASH (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand) questionnaire. Furthermore, the intensity of pain will be quantified using a numeric scale, and the pain self-efficacy will be evaluated using the Pain Self-Effacity Short Form Questionnaire. Expected results: This method will allow for the comparison of phases within and between subjects to determine whether the IVR sessions improve the function assessed by the Quick DASH. Conclusion: Further investigation is required to determine the potential benefits of using IVR for upper limb chronic pain rehabilitation, with a particular focus on the development of precise protocols for its use in clinical settings.