Feasibility of attention-based virtual reality interventions in fibromyalgia syndrome - comparing systems, virtual environments and activities

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by Jiven

Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) affects a large adult population and is marked by chronic widespread pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance, cognitive “fog,” and psychological distress. Pharmacological management, including opioids, often fails, so accessible innovative approaches are needed. This feasibility study evaluates four VR systems, four interactive VR activities, and two virtual environments, focusing on acceptability, adverse effects, engagement, and preliminary pain and mood outcomes.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages15

Reading Time38 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Original Manuscript Feasibility of attention-based virtual reality interventions in ﬁ bromyalgia syndrome: comparing systems, virtual environmentsand activities British Journal of Pain 2025, Vol. 0(0) 1–15 © The Author(s) 2025 Article reuse guidelines: [sagepub.com/journals-permissions](sagepub.com/journals-permissions)[ ](sagepub.com/journals-permissions)[DOI: 10.1177/20494637241310696](DOI: 10.1177/20494637241310696) [journals.sagepub.com/home/bjp](journals.sagepub.com/home/bjp) Jordan Tsigarides 1 􀀁, Vanessa Grove1 , Jacqueline Chipping 1 , Jack Dainty 1 , Susan Miles 1 , Nicholas Shenker2 , Saber Sami 1 and Alexander Macgregor 1 Abstract Background: Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) is highly prevalent with a signiﬁcant associated morbidity and socioeconomic burden. Effective treatments for FMS remain elusive with pharmacological management (including use of opioids) often proving ineffective. There is a need to develop accessible, innovative management approaches to improve patient care. Virtual reality (VR) interventions have shown evidence of efﬁcacy in the management of acute pain and chronic low back pain, but their feasibility in FMS has not hitherto been explored. Methods: This feasibility study investigates the use of four different VR systems, four interactive VR activities and two virtual environments in patients with FMS. Acceptability (including adverse effects) and study engagement were the main outcomes investigated. Clinical outcome data on pain and mood were also collected to gather preliminary information for future studies. Results: The results demonstrated good feasibility across VR systems, activities and virtual environments with high levels of acceptability, low frequency of adverse effects, and positive perceptions of VR in patients with FMS. Reporting of adverse effects (including fatigue) varied across different VR components, with system comfort and virtual environmental design being particularly important. Conclusions: The ﬁ ndings increase our conﬁdence with respect to the feasibility of using VR in people with FMS, help to inform future randomised controlled trials and emphasise the importance of tailored interventional design for future VR therapeutics. Keywords Chronic pain, ﬁ bromyalgia, pain management, virtual reality intervention, feasibility Introduction Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) affects between 4 and 6% of the adult population 1,2 and is characterised by chronic widespread pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance, cognitive ‘fog’, and signiﬁcant psychological distress.3 Despite the socioeconomic burden and associated morbidity, effective treatments for FMS remain elusive with pharmacological management (including use of opioids) often proving ineffective.4 The lack of pharmacological efﬁcacy has led to the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) and National Institute of for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance recommending non-pharmacological approaches as ﬁrstline.5,6 However, the accessibility and acceptability of 1 Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK 2 Department of Rheumatology, Addenbrookes University Hospital, Cambridge, UK Corresponding author: Jordan Tsigarides, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwich Medical School, Bob Champion Research and Education Building, Norwich Research Park, Rosalind Franklin Road, Norwich NR4 7UQ, UK. Email: [J.tsigarides@uea.ac.uk](J.tsigarides@uea.ac.uk) recommended therapeutic options including supervised aerobic exercise can be challenging due to factors including resource constraints and psychological factors.7 There is a need for novel, accessible, and well-tolerated therapeutic strategies for this patient population. Virtual Reality (VR) has attracted increasing interest in pain management given evidence of analgesic efﬁcacy in acute pain.8,9 This novel technology immerses users within a fully interactive, computer-generate

FAQs

What is the main goal of this feasibility study in fibromyalgia?

To assess the feasibility and acceptability of attention-based virtual reality interventions in people with FMS, including adverse effects and study engagement. Preliminary pain and mood data are also collected to guide future studies.

What VR components were compared?

Four different VR systems, four interactive VR activities, and two virtual environments are evaluated in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome.

What did the results show about feasibility and safety?

The study reported good feasibility across systems, activities, and environments, with high acceptability and a low frequency of adverse effects. Adverse-effect reporting varied by VR component, with system comfort and virtual-environment design highlighted as particularly important.

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by Jiven