Rehab Reimagined Blogs & Research
Breathing, Relaxation, and Pain Distraction: Evidence-Based Approaches in VR
In practice, I have seen this effect firsthand. One patient, confined to bed and relying on narcotic pain medication, initially resisted therapy because his pain was overwhelming. Once immersed in a distraction-based VR environment, his focus shifted entirely. His breathing slowed, his muscles softened, and his expression changed. Within minutes, his reported pain dropped from a 9 to a 2. When the nurse returned with his next medication dose, he declined it, saying he finally felt ready to get up and walk. This moment captured what the data shows: distraction through immersion is not avoidance; it is engagement through relief.
