Sustained symptom reduction in complex regional pain syndrome with a novel home-based virtual reality program: a pilot study

作者：Miles R. Fontenot, Michele Curatolo, Brett R. Stacey, Herta Flor, Hunter G. Hoffman · 发表于：Frontiers in Neurology · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.3389/fneur.2025.1622897 · 被引用次数：1 · 研究领域：Pain Management and Treatment、Pain Mechanisms and Treatments、Systemic Sclerosis and Related Diseases

Background: Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) often leads to limb disuse, pain catastrophizing, and depression. While physical movement of CRPS affected limbs is essential for improvement, pain discourages movement. Home-based virtual reality (VR) interventions may reduce movement-related pain, improve adherence, and promote sustained symptom reduction. Methods: In this exploratory pilot study, seven patients with CRPS completed a 4-month home-based VR program integrating three treatment modules (1) embodied cyberhands VR physical movement treatment, (2) VR-mindfulness-based-stress-reduction, and (3) VR-pain-neuroscience-education. The primary outcomes were patient-reported global impressions of change in CRPS-related pain and physical ability. Secondary outcomes included central sensitization, cold sensitivity, depression, pain catastrophizing, and upper-limb function. Results: On the primary outcome global impression of change measures, six of seven patients reported sustained improvement in CRPS-related pain and physical ability, with three reporting being "much" or "very much" improved at 4 months. Gains were maintained at 1-year follow-up. Secondary outcomes showed significant improvements at 4 months: central sensitization (CSI: 46.7 ± 11.97 to 38.4 ± 11.53), cold pain threshold (27.12 °C ± 3.89 to 24.56 °C ± 5.56), depression (CES-D: 23.0 ± 11.27 to 15.6 ± 8.85), pain catastrophizing (PCS: 24.3 ± 11.06 to 15.1 ± 9.67), and upper-limb function (QuickDASH: 47.7 ± 20....