US approves virtual reality system. After a majority of patients in a trial evaluating the gadget demonstrated less suffering, the US Food and Drug Administration approved a virtual reality (VR) system from Applied VR for relieving lower back pain on Tuesday.
EaseVRx is a pain-relieving gadget that combines cognitive behavioral therapy and other related methods. It is designed for self-use at home.
US approves virtual reality system for reducing back pain.
A VR headset and joystick are included, as well as a breathing amplifier coupled to the headgear for deep breathing workouts. The treatment consists of 56 VR sessions lasting 2-16 minutes over an eight-week period.
The gadget was approved based on the findings of a 179-patient trial, in which 65 percent of the patients saw a pain reduction of more than 30 percent.
Applied VR, a software company, is working on a number of virtual reality gadgets for disorders like anxiety and general pain.
A small study published last year suggested that virtual reality immersion could alleviate some of the agonies of contractions before childbirth.
According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, 75 to 85 percent of people will experience back pain in their lifetime. Of those, 50 percent will have more than one episode within a year.
